JP6511590B1 - Audio control of media playback system - Google Patents

Abstract

Voice input is received that includes a command word, one or more instances of media variables, and one or more instances of zone variables. A media playback system command corresponding to the command word is determined. Media content corresponding to an instance of one or more media variables is identified. A media playback system executes media playback system commands on media content based on instances of one or more zone variables.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

  This application is a non-provisional patent application filed on July 29, 2016 entitled "Voice Control of a Media Playback System" under Article 8 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (i). 15 / 223,218, (ii) US Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 15 / 098,718, filed April 14, 2016, entitled "Music Service Selection". Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 15 / 098,805, filed April 14, 2016, entitled "Room-Corrected Voice Detection", (iv) "iv. Action based on user ID (Action based on Ser. No. 15 / 131,776, filed Apr. 18, 2016, entitled (ser ID), (v) “Voice Control of a Media Playback System” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 312,350, filed March 23, 2016, entitled: "(vi) February 22, 2016, entitled" Audio Response Playback "; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 298,418 filed, (vii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62, filed February 22, 2016, entitled "Music Service Selection". / 298,425 specification, (vii) "Net US Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 298,350, filed Feb. 22, 2016, entitled "Metadata Exchange Involving a Networked Microphone System", filed on Feb. 22, 2016. US Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 298,388, filed Feb. 22, 2016, entitled “Handling of Loss of Pairing Between Networked Devices”. Specification, (ix) “Default Playback Device U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 298,410 filed Feb. 22, 2016 entitled: s)) (x) 2016 entitled "Room-Corrected Voice Detection" U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 298,433, filed February 22, 2016, (xi) U.S. Provisional Patent Application filed on February 22, 2016 entitled "Content Mixing" U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/298, filed February 22, 2016, entitled "Action based on User ID", and application Ser. No. 62 / 298,439, and (xii). Claim the benefit of priority to the 393 specification. The contents of each of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

  The present application relates to consumer products, and more particularly to methods, systems, products, features, services and other elements directed to media playback, and some aspects thereof.

  In 2003, Sonoz Inc. filed a patent application entitled "How to synchronize audio playback between multiple network devices", which is one of the first patent applications, and in 2005 sold a media playback system Until then, the options for accessing and listening to digital audio in out-loud settings were limited. People are able to experience music from multiple sources via one or more network playback devices with the Sonoz Wireless HiFi system. Through a software control application installed on a smartphone, tablet or computer, people can play the music they want in any room equipped with a network playback device. Also, for example, the controller can be used to stream different songs to each room with playback devices, or multiple rooms can be grouped for synchronized playback, or synchronized in all rooms You can listen to the same song.

  Given the growing interest in digital media so far, there is a need to further develop consumer accessible technologies that can further enhance the listening experience.

  The features, aspects and advantages of the technology disclosed herein are better understood with reference to the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary media playback system configuration that may be implemented in certain embodiments. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of an example playback device in accordance with aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary control device in accordance with aspects described herein. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary controller interface in accordance with aspects described herein. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary plurality of network devices in accordance with aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an example network microphone device in accordance with aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is an exemplary flow diagram associated with providing a network microphone device with acoustical characteristics of the surrounding environment. FIG. 6 is another example flow diagram associated with providing the network microphone device with acoustical characteristics of the surrounding environment. FIG. 6 is an exemplary flow diagram associated with interpreting voice input received by a network microphone device. FIG. 7 is an exemplary flow diagram associated with determining acoustical characteristics of the surrounding environment. FIG. 6 is another example flow diagram associated with providing directionality to audio content played back by a playback device. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of music control according to aspects described herein. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary user interface of a configuration process in accordance with aspects described herein. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary user interface of a configuration process in accordance with aspects described herein. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary user interface of a configuration process in accordance with aspects described herein. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary user interface of a configuration process in accordance with aspects described herein. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary method in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 6 is an exemplary flow diagram associated with identifying a music streaming service via a network microphone device. FIG. 6 is another example flow diagram associated with identifying a music streaming service via a network microphone device.

  While the drawings are intended to illustrate some exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

I. Overview In general, a voice command may be a command that directs control of any of the media playback system controls described herein. For example, the voice command may be a command that instructs the media playback system to play media content via one or more playback devices in the media playback system. In another embodiment, the voice command may be a command to change the playback settings of one or more media playback devices in the media playback system. The playback settings may mainly include, for example, playback volume, playback transport control, music source selection, and grouping.

  In one aspect, the examples described herein relate to providing the NMD with acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment in which the network microphone device (NMD) operates. The NMD may use the acoustics of the surrounding environment in interpreting voice commands received by the NMD.

  The NMD may be a device that receives audio input, eg, speech, via a microphone array, and performs functions based on the audio input. For example, the NMD may receive a voice command and interpret the received voice command. The NMD may then perform the function based on the voice command. Specifically, the NMD receives an audio command instructing "playback" of "track 1" by "artist 1" from "streaming service 1", and determines that the audio input is a command instructing playback of audio content. Then, "streaming service 1" may prompt to play the requested "track 1" of audio by "artist 1". Other configurations are also possible.

  The surrounding environment in which the NMD operates may have certain acoustic characteristics. The acoustic characteristics define how speech travels within the surrounding environment. The acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment may be determined in various ways. As one example, a playback device comprising a speaker and a microphone outputs a test tone through the speaker, receives the test tone through the microphone, and analyzes the received test tone to determine the acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment. You may decide. In another example, another network device (the control device, the first playback device, or even the NMD itself) receives a test tone from the speaker of the second playback device and analyzes the received test tone , A microphone may be provided to determine the acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment. This test tone may be an audio sound of a different frequency. These acoustic characteristics may be stored at the playback device or computing device in the communication network for use by the playback device in playing back the audio content.

  In some examples, the acoustic characteristics may be estimated based on known characteristics of the surrounding environment, such as the size of the room, the height of the ceiling of the room, and the furniture in the room. The acoustic characteristics of rooms having different characteristics may be stored in a database. The acoustic characteristics stored in the database may be determined based on previous analysis of a room having a particular feature. The user may enter room characteristics and the database may output acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment. The acoustic characteristics may also be stored on the playback device itself or in a database for use by the playback device.

  Also, U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 14 / 481,511 entitled "Playback Device Calibration", U.S. Non-patent application entitled "Audio Settings Based on Environment". Provisional Patent Application No. 14 / 216,306, "Hybrid Test Tone for Space-Averaged Room Audio Calibration Using a Moving Microphone" US Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 14 / 805,140, entitled "Media System US Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 14 / 825,961 entitled Multi-Channel Pairing in Media System, and System and Method for Device Regeneration Calibration In U.S. Patent No. 9,106,192 entitled "Playback Calibration", various examples of calibration of playback devices are described, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. It shall be.

  The NMD can process audio input, usually via microphone responses. Microphone response is a measure of the sensitivity of the microphone to frequency. In some embodiments, the NMD may also process audio input using acoustical characteristics of the surrounding environment to correct for distortion of the audio input. In this way, speech input can be better interpreted.

  The playback device may provide the NMD with acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment. Because the media playback system may have multiple playback devices, the playback device providing the acoustic characteristics may be the device in the immediate vicinity of the NMD. As another example, playback devices providing acoustical properties may be playback devices in the same zone. In some cases, playback devices may be combined (grouped or paired) with the NMD. This coupling may indicate that the playback device and the NMD are in the same room or zone, and / or they are close together, such as playing content synchronously. If the NMD is coupled to a playback device, the NMD may be arranged to receive the acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment from the coupled playback device. Furthermore, if the NMD is moved and coupled to another playback device, the other playback device to which it is coupled may provide new acoustical properties for the NMD's deployed peripheral environment.

  The NMD may use its acoustical properties of the surrounding environment in which the NMD is located to improve its operation. For example, the NMD may define a filter based on acoustic characteristics. The NMD may apply filters to the speech input it receives to correct acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment such as, for example, spectral distortion, spatial distortion, and temporal distortion in the speech input. In this way, speech input can be better interpreted.

  In many situations, the NMD can be placed in close proximity to the media playback system. The media playback system may include multiple playback devices for playing audio content. These playback devices may be distributed at various places in the home, and these places may be zones such as bedrooms and living rooms in the home. As a result, the NMD may need to interpret audio input while audio content, such as music, is played simultaneously by the media playback system.

  In some situations, the playback device will not only allow the NMD to apply a filter to the audio input to correct the acoustics of the surrounding environment, but also allow the audio input to be better separated using the audio content being played May provide the NMD with a notification regarding the content being played back.

  Additionally or alternatively, the NMD may be able to determine the directivity of the speech input. This directivity may define the direction of the source of voice input. This directivity may be provided to the media playback system. The media playback system comprises a plurality of speakers. Media playback systems may use this directivity to adjust the audio output of multiple speakers. For example, the media playback system may direct audio sound emitted from one or more playback devices to the source of the audio input. This may be the direction in which the listener is located. Other configurations are also possible.

  In another aspect, some examples described herein include controlling the media playback system via audio input. Some examples provided herein may include certain methods. The method may include the steps of receiving an audio input comprising a command word and an instance of one or more media variables, and determining that the audio input corresponds to music control. The method may further comprise the steps of determining the command corresponding to the command word, processing the voice input and identifying the media playback system command corresponding to the intent. Voice input may be processed to identify media content associated with one or more instances of music variables, and to determine one or more media items within the media content. The media playback system may cause a command to be executed on one or more media items.

  Another example provides a non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium is executable by the computing device and stores instructions that cause the computing device to perform the function. The functions include receiving an audio input that includes an instance of a command word and one or more media variables, and determining that the audio input corresponds to music control. The function may further include determining the command corresponding to the command word and processing the voice input to identify the media playback system command corresponding to the intent. Voice input may be processed to identify media content associated with one or more instances of music variables, and to determine one or more media items within the media content. The media playback system may cause a command to be executed on one or more media items.

  In yet another example, a system is provided. The system comprises a processor and a memory. The memory is executable by the device and stores instructions that cause the system to perform the function. The functions include receiving an audio input that includes an instance of a command word and one or more media variables, and determining that the audio input corresponds to music control. The function may further include determining the command corresponding to the command word and processing the voice input to identify the media playback system command corresponding to the intent. Voice input may be processed to identify media content associated with one or more instances of music variables, and to determine one or more media items within the media content. The media playback system may cause a command to be executed on one or more media items.

  In yet another aspect, the examples described herein may include the media playback system (or, optionally, one or more components thereof) receiving a voice command, the media playback system executing based on user identification. Including determining the appropriate action.

  Listening to media content at high volumes can be an opportunity for family, friends, and guests to join. Examples of media content include talk radio, books, audio from television, music stored on a local drive, media sources (eg Pandora® Radio, Spotify®, Slacker®, Radio, Google Music from Play (TM), iTunes Radio), and other audible material can be mentioned. For example, at home, people may play loud music at parties or other social gatherings. In such an environment, people want to play music simultaneously in one listening zone or multiple listening zones so that the music in each listening zone can be synchronized without producing audible echoes or abnormal sounds There is a case. Such experiences can be further enhanced if people can use voice commands to command control of the audio playback device or system. For example, people change audio content, playlists, or listening zones, add music tracks to playlists or play queues, or play settings (eg play, pause, next track, previous track, play It may be desirable to change the volume, equalization settings, etc.).

  Listening to media content at high volume can also be a personal experience. For example, an individual may play music loudly at home or at work, before going to the morning, working out, having dinner at night, or at other times all day. In order to experience in this way, the individual may choose to limit the playback of the audio content to a single listening zone or range. Such an experience may be further enhanced if the individual can use voice commands that primarily dictate the selection of listening zones, audio content, and playback settings.

  Identifying the person attempting to perform a voice command may also be an important element of such an experience. It may be desirable to execute voice commands based on who the person is and what the person wants the media playback device or system to do. As an example, at a home party or social gathering, the host or householder may wish to forbid certain guests from using audio commands, audio zones, listening zones, or voice commands instructing them to change playback settings. In some cases, the host or householder may allow certain guests to use audio commands to change audio content, listening zones, or playback settings while implementing such changes for other guests. You may want to ban it. User identification based on user profiles or voice configuration settings may help to distinguish between householder voice and guest voice.

  In another example, user identification can be used to distinguish between adult speech and child speech. In some cases, a householder may want to prohibit a child from using voice commands that instruct the child to listen to audio content that is inappropriate. In other cases, the householder may want to prohibit children from changing the listening zone or playback settings. For example, a householder may want to listen to audio content at a particular volume and prohibit children from changing the volume of the audio content. User identification may be useful for setting parental control settings or restriction settings that prohibit children from accessing particular content or changing listening zones or playback settings. For example, user identification based on user profile or voice configuration settings may help to determine who the child is, what the child can listen to, or which setting the child can change is there.

  In yet another example, user identification may be used to prevent unintended voice commands. For example, a householder may want to prevent voice from television or any other audio content from unintentionally triggering a voice command. Many other examples similar to but different from the above are described herein, and illustrate different types of actions based on speech recognition.

  Some embodiments described herein may be suitable for the media playback system (or, optionally, one or more components thereof) to receive an audio command, the media playback system to execute based on a user identification. Including determining the action.

  In an exemplary configuration, the media playback system comprises one or more media playback devices, either alone or in combination with a computing device such as a media playback system server. In another exemplary configuration, the media playback system may comprise or be in communication with a network microphone system server and one or more NMDs. In yet another exemplary configuration, the media playback system server and / or the network microphone system server may be a cloud based server system. Any one or a combination of these devices and / or servers may receive an audio command to the media playback system.

  In exemplary operation, one or more functions may be performed by the network microphone system alone or in conjunction with the media playback system. For example, receiving a voice command may also include the network microphone system receiving a voice command via one or more NMDs, and transmitting the voice command to the media playback system for further processing. Good. The media playback system may then translate the voice command into an equivalent text command and parse the text command to identify the command. In other cases, the network microphone system may translate the voice command into an equivalent text command, send the text command to the media playback system to parse it, and identify the command.

  The voice command may be a command that commands control of any of the media playback system controls described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the voice command may be a command that instructs the media playback system to play media content through one or more playback devices of the media playback system. In some embodiments, the voice command may be a command to change the playback settings of one or more media playback devices of the media playback system. The playback settings may mainly include, for example, playback volume, playback transport control, music source selection, and grouping.

  After receiving the voice command, the computing device of the media playback system may determine whether the voice command has been received from a registered user of the media playback system. For example, the media playback system may be registered for a particular user or one or more users in the home. The computing device of the media playback system may be configured to associate the voice command with the registered user based on a user profile stored on the computing device. The registered user may create a user profile and store it on the computing device. The user profile may include user specific information. For example, the user profile includes the user's age, location information, preference playback settings, preference playlists, preference audio content, and information on access restrictions set for the user, and information identifying the user's voice It may be mainly contained.

  The computing device of the media playback system may be configured to associate voice commands with a user based on voice configuration settings set by the user. For example, the media playback system may require the user to provide voice input or a series of voice inputs. The computing device of the media playback system may then process the voice input, associate the voice input with the user, and store information such that the media playback system can recognize voice commands from the user.

  In some examples, the computing device of the media playback system may be configured to determine the confidence level associated with the voice command, which determines whether the voice command has been received from the registered user It may be more useful. The confidence level may be determined based on the user history and location information individually or in combination with any other information that can typically be identified in the user profile.

  In response to determining that the voice command has been received from the registered user, the computing device of the media playing system may configure the indication to the media playing system. This instruction may be based on the content of the voice command and the information in the user profile of the registered user. Additionally or alternatively, the indication may be based on the content of the voice command and voice configuration settings stored on the computing device.

  As described in the examples herein, the voice commands may include various content. In one example, the content of the voice command may include a command instructing one or more playback devices to play the media content. In some cases, the computing device of the media playback system registers the user with one or more playback devices based on the command instructing the one or more playback devices to play the media content and the information in the registered user's user profile An instruction may be configured to obtain media content from a preferred media source (e.g., a music streaming service). The computing device may then configure the media playback system to cause the media playback system to play media content via one or more playback devices of the media playback system. In yet another example, based on the command instructing the one or more playback devices to play the media content and the information in the registered user's user profile, the computing device may: Instructions to configure one or more playback devices using one or more and (ii) via the media playback system to play media content on one or more playback devices using the preferred user's playback settings of the registered user May be included.

  In another example, the content of the voice command may include a command instructing one or more playback devices to play the media content, but may not specify a particular listening zone or playing zone of the media playing system . Based on the content of the voice command and the information in the registered user's user profile, the computing device may, via one or more playback devices, media to one or more playback devices within a particular playback zone of the media playback system. An instruction to play back the content may be configured.

  In yet another example, the content of the voice command may include a command instructing the media playback system to change the playback settings. Based on the content of the voice command and the information in the registered user's user profile, the computing device may configure an instruction to cause the media playback system to change the playback settings of one or more playback devices in the media playback system. .

  Yet another example may include the media playback system determining priorities to resolve conflicts of voice commands received from different users. For example, the media playback system may assign a priority such that voice commands received from registered guests have a higher priority than unregistered guests. The voice command competition may include, for example, a voice command instructing to play a song received from one user and a subsequent voice command instructing to stop playing the song received from another user. Many other examples similar to but different from the above are described herein.

  In another example, the media playback system may operate based on receiving an activation word or activation phrase associated with a registered user or registered guest user. The activation word or activation phrase (e.g., "Hey Sonos (Hey Sonos)") may be used to trigger a time frame in which the system accepts additional commands from the user based on the received activation word. For example, the host or authorized guest may send a voice command instructing to add a song to the play queue (for example, "Hey Sonos, add a song to the play queue (Hey Sonos, let's queue up songs) "), which may open up a time frame (e.g., 5 minutes) in which the host or authorized guest can send additional voice commands to command the addition of specific songs to the playback queue. Many other examples similar to but different from the above are described herein.

  In some embodiments of the computing device, after constructing the set of instructions or instructions for the media playback system, the set of instructions or instructions may be sent to one or more playback devices of the media playback system.

  In yet another example, the computing device of the media playback system may determine whether an audio command has been received from a child. The computing device may be configured to distinguish between adults and children based on information in the user profile or guest profile. In particular, the computing device may distinguish between adults and children based on the tone or frequency of the user's voice.

  In response to determining that a voice command has been received from the child, the one or more playback devices may be prohibited from playing the given media content that may be inappropriate for the child. In some cases, it may be possible to prohibit the computing device and / or one or more playback devices from changing playback settings based on the content of the voice command by the child.

  In yet another example, some actions may be based on determining whether a command has been received from a guest user rather than a registered user of the media playback system. In one example, a registered user may have created a guest profile for a guest user. This guest profile may include any information contained in the user profile. In another example, the computing device of the media playback system may determine that a voice command has not been received from the registered user and may then query the registered user if the voice command is from a registered user .

  In response to determining that the voice command has been received from the guest user, the computing device of the media playback system assigns (1) restriction settings to the guest user, and (2) the contents of the voice command and the guest user And may configure an indication to the one or more playback devices, and (3) transmit the indication to the one or more playback devices. The restriction setting may be any setting that restricts control of the media playback system.

  In yet another aspect, the examples described herein relate to identifying and accessing an appropriate streaming service (eg, streaming audio tracks) based on a command.

  Streaming services may be identified and accessed based on voice commands provided by the NMD. For example, NMD receives an audio command "play Pandora 70's rock radio with Pandora (play Pandora 70's rock radio)" and the message is from a particular streaming service It may be determined that it is a command instructing playback of a specific radio station, and then it may prompt playback of the radio station from the service. In other implementations, the selection of streaming service may be based on commands (eg, text input) input via the control device's user interface. Other types of commands are also possible.

  In another example, the command may not explicitly specify the streaming service that the user wants to access. For example, a user may issue a more comprehensive command such as "play Queen's song" or "play 70's rock". In such a case, in the existing system, which content type the user wants to play back (ie the artist's queen, or the album 'Queen', or a 70's rock radio station? There is a limit to the ability to distinguish between the two or the "best of" album. Also, such a system can not match the content type intended by the user with the content type features of the various streaming services (ie which services can play radio stations, artists and albums).

  Given the ever increasing amount of content available and the number of streaming services, there is a need for a system that can intelligently select a desired streaming service that matches the content type provided to the user based on user commands. There is.

  In one example, the selection of streaming services may be accomplished by a network configuration that includes multiple network enabled devices. The network configuration may include an NMD that receives, processes, and analyzes commands, a playback device, a computing device, and / or a control device (eg, a tablet or a smartphone). The configuration may further include obtaining and / or requesting audio content from the one or more music content distribution servers based on processing and analysis of the received command. The audio content may then be obtained by the NMD, the control device, and / or any number of playback devices to provide an audio playback experience based on the command. Also, the network configuration may take other forms.

  In another example, the selection may be based on each of several criteria, or a combination of these. In some cases, the choice of streaming service depends on the content type specified by the command (eg songs, genres, radio stations) and whether the particular streaming service supports the specified content type Good. In such cases, content type logic may be used to associate a command or portion of a command with the content type. The content types identified through logic may then be mapped to streaming services having available content types. Analysis of content types specified through commands may be performed in various other ways.

  In yet another example, the selection of streaming service may be based in part on a user history that can incorporate the user's streaming service preferences. This user preference may be mainly based on the criteria for each zone, the content type with the largest number of times of reproduction, or the like. Additionally, various forms of "external" data may be cited including, but not limited to, geographic data, demographic data, and weather type data. Other types of criteria may be provided to influence the selection.

  In addition to selecting a streaming service, processing of user commands may output another notification. In such a case, the system may output a streaming service proposal that can play the content type specified by the command. In another example, the system may output a "content not available" notification. Such notification may be output at the network microphone device, the controller, or at one or more playback devices via the NMD or controller.

  Various selection criteria may serve as input for an algorithm to determine the reliability metrics of the various streaming services. The reliability metric may indicate whether a particular streaming service is what the user wants to listen to. For example, the confidence level may be a probability value or a percentage (eg, 1-100) assigned to the streaming service. In one embodiment, the streaming service with the highest confidence metric may be designated for streaming. In other cases, an error condition may be triggered if the calculated highest confidence metric does not exceed the threshold confidence value, or if the top N confidence levels are within a certain range of one another. In such a case, in response to an error condition, the network microphone device outputs (1) a notification that "content is not available" and (2) requests the user to repeat the command or to specify this in detail And (3) The audio may be played mainly by a service partner or default service of your choice. This reliability metric may be used in various other ways.

  Although some examples described herein refer to functions performed by any entity, such as "user" and / or other entities, it should be understood that this is merely for illustrative purposes. is there. The claims should not be construed as requiring operation of such example entities unless expressly stated by the claims themselves. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure includes other embodiments.

II. Exemplary Operating Environment FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a media playback system 100 that can or can be implemented in one or more embodiments disclosed herein. As shown, the media playback system 100 is associated with an exemplary home environment having multiple rooms and spaces, eg, a master bedroom, an office, a dining room, and a living room. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the media playback system 100 includes playback devices 102-124, control devices 126 and 128, and a wired or wireless network router 130.

  Further, descriptions of the different components of the exemplary media playback system 100 and how the different components work to provide the user with a media experience are described in the following sections. Although the description herein generally refers to the media playback system 100, the techniques described herein are not limited to the use of the home environment shown in FIG. For example, the techniques described herein may be used in environments where multi-zone audio is desired, such as commercial environments such as restaurants, malls, or airports, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses or vehicles. It is useful in the environment of vehicles, ships, or boards, airplanes, etc.

a. Exemplary Playback Device FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary playback device 200 that configures one or more of the playback devices 102-124 of the media playback system 100 of FIG. The playback device 200 may include a processor 202, a software component 204, a memory 206, an audio processing component 208, an audio amplifier 210, a speaker 212, a network interface 214, and a microphone 220. Network interface 214 includes wireless interface 216 and wired interface 218. In some cases, the playback device 200 does not include the speaker 212, but may include a speaker interface for connecting the playback device 200 to an external speaker. In other cases, the playback device 200 does not include the speaker 212 or the audio amplifier 210, but may include an audio interface for connecting the playback device 200 to an external audio amplifier or an audio visual receiver.

  In one example, processor 202 may be a clocked computer component configured to process input data based on instructions stored in memory 206. Memory 206 may be a non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions executable by processor 202. For example, memory 206 may be data storage capable of loading one or more of software components 204 executable by processor 202 to perform certain functions. In one example, the function may include the playback device 200 reading audio data from an audio source or another playback device. In another example, the function may include the playback device 200 transmitting audio data to another device on the network or to the playback device. In yet another example, the functionality may include pairing playback device 200 with one or more playback devices to create a multi-channel audio environment.

  Certain functions include the playback device 200 synchronizing playback of audio content with one or more other playback devices. Preferably, while synchronizing playback, the listener is not aware of the delay between playback of audio content by playback device 200 and playback by one or more other playback devices. U.S. Pat. No. 8,234,395 entitled "System and Method for Synchronizing Operation Between Multiple Independent Clock Digital Data Processing Devices" is incorporated herein by reference, which provides for audio playback between playback devices. It provides a more detailed example where synchronization is stated.

  Additionally, memory 206 may be configured to store data. The data may be, for example, a playback device 200, such as a playback device 200 included as part of one or more zones and / or zone groups, an audio source accessible by the playback device 200, or a playback device 200 (or other playback Associated with the playback queue, which can be associated with the device). The data may be updated periodically and stored as one or more state variables that indicate the state of the playback device 200. Memory 206 may also include data associated with the state of other devices of the media system, with one or more devices at or near their most recent data associated with the system, by sharing between devices at any time. You may have. Other embodiments are also possible.

  Audio processing component 208 may include, among others, one or more digital-to-analog converters (DACs), audio processing components, audio enhancement components, or digital signal processors (DSPs). In one embodiment, one or more audio processing components 208 may be subcomponents of processor 202. In one embodiment, audio content may be processed and / or intentionally modified by audio processing component 208 to generate an audio signal. The generated audio signal is transmitted to the audio amplifier 210, amplified, and reproduced through the speaker 212. In particular, audio amplifier 210 may include a device configured to amplify the audio signal to a level that can drive one or more speakers 212. The speaker 212 may comprise a complete speaker system, including an independent transducer (e.g., a "driver") or a housing that encloses one or more drivers. Some drivers provided in the speaker 212 may include, for example, a subwoofer (for example, for low frequencies), a middle range driver (for example, for intermediate frequencies), and / or a tweeter (for high frequencies). In some cases, each transducer of one or more speakers 212 may be driven by a corresponding individual audio amplifier of audio amplifier 210. In addition to generating an analog signal for playback on playback device 200, audio processing component 208 processes the audio content and transmits the audio content for playback to one or more other playback devices.

  Audio content to be processed and / or reproduced by the reproduction device 200 is received via an external source, eg, an audio line-in input connection (eg, auto-detecting 3.5 mm audio line-in connection) or the network interface 214. May be

  Network interface 214 may be configured to enable data flow between playback device 200 and one or more other devices over a data network. Thus, the playback device 200 may be a data network from one or more other playback devices in communication with the playback device, a network device in a local area network, or an audio content source on a wide area network such as, for example, the Internet. May be configured to receive audio content. In one example, audio content and other signals sent and received by the playback device 200 may be sent in the form of digital packets that include an Internet Protocol (IP) based source address and an IP based destination address. In such a case, the network interface 214 can appropriately receive and process data addressed to the playback device 200 by the playback device 200 by analyzing the digital packet data.

  As shown, network interface 214 may include wireless interface 216 and wired interface 218. The wireless interface 216 provides a network interface function for the playback device 200 and a communication protocol (eg, wireless standard IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.15, 4G mobile) Other devices (eg, other playback devices, speakers, receivers, network devices, control devices within the data network associated with the playback device 200) based on any of the wireless standards (standards) including communication standards etc. It may communicate wirelessly. The wired interface 218 provides a network interface function for the playback device 200 and may communicate via a wired connection with other devices based on a communication protocol (eg, IEEE 802.3). Although the network interface 214 shown in FIG. 2 includes both the wireless interface 216 and the wired interface 218, the network interface 214 may, in certain embodiments, include only the wireless interface or only the wired interface. Good.

  The microphone 220 may be arranged to detect sound in the environment surrounding the playback device 200. For example, a microphone may be attached to the outer wall of the playback device housing. The microphone may be any type of microphone known or later developed such as a condenser microphone, an electret condenser microphone, or a dynamic microphone. The microphone may be sensitive to part of the frequency range of the speaker 220. The one or more speakers 220 may operate in the opposite direction as the microphones 220. In some aspects, the playback device 200 may not have the microphone 220.

  In one example, playback device 200 and another playback device may be paired to play two separate audio components of audio content. For example, playback device 200 may be configured to play left channel audio components, while other playback devices may be configured to play right channel audio components. This can create or enhance stereo effects of the audio content. Paired playback devices (also referred to as "combined playback devices") may also play audio content in synchronization with other playback devices.

  In another example, the playback device 200 may be acoustically integrated with one or more other playback devices to form a single integrated playback device (integrated playback device). The integrated playback device can be configured to process and reproduce sound differently as compared to a non-integrated playback device or paired playback device. This is because the integrated playback device can add a speaker for playing back audio content. For example, if the playback device 200 is designed to play audio content in the low frequency range (eg, a subwoofer), the playback device 200 is designed to play audio content in the full frequency range It may be integrated with the device. In this case, the full frequency range playback device may be configured to play only the mid-high frequency component of the audio content when integrated with the low frequency playback device 200. On the other hand, the low frequency range playback device 200 plays back the low frequency component of the audio content. Furthermore, the integrated playback device may be paired with a single playback device, or even another integrated playback device.

  As an example, Sonoz Inc. currently plays including "PLAY: 1", "PLAY: 3", "PLAY: 5", "PLAYBAR", "CONNECT: AMP", "CONNECT", and "SUB" We offer devices for sale. Any other past, present, and / or future playback devices may additionally or alternatively be implemented and used in the playback devices of the embodiments disclosed herein. Further, it is understood that the playback device is not limited to the particular example shown in FIG. 2 or the provided Sonoz product. For example, the playback device may include wired or wireless headphones. In another example, the playback device may include or interact with a docking station for a personal mobile media playback device. In yet another example, the playback device may be integrated with another device or component, such as a television, a light fixture, or some other device for indoor or outdoor use.

b. Exemplary Playback Zone Configuration Returning to the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, the environment includes one or more playback zones, each playback zone including one or more playback devices. The media playback system 100 is formed of one or more playback zones, and one or more zones may be added or deleted later to provide the exemplary configuration shown in FIG. Each zone may be given a name based on a different room or space, for example an office, a bathroom, a master bedroom, a bedroom, a kitchen, a dining room, a living room, and / or a balcony. In some cases, a single regeneration zone may include multiple rooms or spaces. In another case, a single room or space may include multiple playback zones.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each of the balcony, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, office, and bedroom zones have one playback device, while each of the living room and master bedroom zones has a plurality of playback devices. Have. The living room zone may be either playback devices 104, 106, 108, 110 as separate playback devices, as one or more combined playback devices, as one or more integrated playback devices, or any of these In combination, the audio content may be configured to be synchronized and played back. Similarly, in the case of the master bedroom, the playback devices 122 and 124 may be configured to play audio content synchronously as separate playback devices, as combined playback devices, or as integrated playback devices. .

  In one example, one or more playback zones in the environment of FIG. 1 are playing different audio content. For example, the user can listen to hip-hop music played by the playback device 102 while grilling in the balcony zone. Meanwhile, another user can listen to the classical music played by the playback device 114 while preparing a meal in the kitchen zone. In another example, the playback zone may play the same audio content in synchronization with another playback zone. For example, if the user is in the office zone, the office zone playback device 118 may play the same music as the music being played on the balcony playback device 102. In such a case, the playback devices 102 and 118 are playing the rock music synchronously, so that the user moves between different playback zones seamlessly (or at least the audio content played out-loudly). Almost seamless). Synchronization between playback zones may be performed in the same manner as synchronization between playback devices as described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 8,234,395.

  As mentioned above, the zone configuration of media playback system 100 may be changed dynamically, and in an embodiment, media playback system 100 supports multiple configurations. For example, if a user physically moves one or more playback devices into or out of a zone, media playback system 100 may be reconfigured to accommodate changes. For example, if the user physically moves the playback device 102 from the balcony zone to the office zone, the office zone may include both the playback device 118 and the playback device 102. If desired, playback devices 102 may be paired, or grouped into office zones, and / or renamed, via control devices, eg, control devices 126 and 128. On the other hand, if one or more playback devices are moved to an area in a home environment where the playback zone has not yet been set, a new playback zone may be formed in that area.

  Further, different playback zones of the media playback system 100 may be dynamically combined into zone groups or may be divided into separate playback zones. For example, by combining the dining room zone and the kitchen zone 114 into a dinner party zone group, the playback devices 112 and 114 can synchronize and play audio content. On the other hand, if one user wants to watch TV while another user wants to listen to music in the living room space, the living room zone includes a television zone including the playback device 104 and a listening zone including the playback devices 106, 108, 110. And may be divided.

c. Exemplary Control Device FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary control device 300 that configures control device 126 and / or 128 of media playback system 100. As shown, control device 300 may include processor 302, memory 304, network interface 306, user interface 308, microphone 310, and software components 312. In one example, control device 300 may be a control device dedicated to media playback system 100. In another example, the control device 300 may be a network device with media playback system controller application software installed, such as an iPhone®, iPad®, or any other smartphone, tablet or network device (eg, , PC or a network computer such as Mac (registered trademark).

  Processor 302 may be configured to perform functions related to enabling user access, control, and configuration of media playback system 100. Memory 304 may be one or more software components that can be executed by processor 302 as data storage that can be loaded to perform their functions. Memory 304 may also be configured to store media playback system controller application software and other data associated with media playback system 100 and the user.

  In one example, the network interface 306 may be an industrial standard (eg, infrared, wireless, wired standard such as IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n, 802.15, etc. Wireless standard, 4G communication standard, etc.). Network interface 306 may provide a means for control device 300 to communicate with other devices within media playback system 100. In an example, data and information (eg, state variables) may be communicated between control device 300 and other devices via network interface 306. For example, the configuration of playback zones and zone groups in the media playback system 100 may be received by the control device 300 from a playback device or another network device, or alternatively by the control device 300 via the network interface 306. It may be sent to a playback device or a network device. In some cases, the other network device may be another control device.

  Playback device control commands, such as volume control and audio playback control, may be communicated from control device 300 to the playback device via network interface 306. As described above, the configuration change of the media playback system 100 can be performed by the user using the control device 300. Configuration changes include adding one or more playback devices to the zone, removing one or more playback devices from the zone, adding one or more zones to the zone group, one or more May be removed from the zone group, forming a combined player or an integrated player, separating the combined player or integrated player into one or more playback devices, and so on. Thus, control device 300 may be referred to as a controller, which may be a dedicated controller with installed media playback system controller application software or may be a network device.

  Control device 300 may include a microphone 310. The microphone 310 may be arranged to detect sound in the environment surrounding the control device 300. Microphone 310 may be any type of microphone known or later developed such as a condenser microphone, an electret condenser microphone, or a dynamic microphone. The microphone may be sensitive to part of the frequency range. Two or more microphones 310 may be configured to capture positional information of a sound source (e.g., voice, audible sound) and / or assist in filtering background noise.

  User interface 308 of control device 300 may be configured to allow user access and control of media playback system 100 by providing a controller interface, such as controller interface 400 shown in FIG. . The controller interface 400 includes a playback control area 410, a playback zone area 420, a playback status area 430, a playback queue area 440, and an audio content source area 450. The illustrated user interface 400 is merely one example of a user interface provided with a network device (and / or the control devices 126 and 128 of FIG. 1) such as the control device 300 of FIG. It may be accessed to control a media playback system such as system 100. Alternatively, various formats, styles, and interactive sequences may be implemented on other user interfaces on one or more network devices to provide similar control access to the media playback system.

  The playback control area 410 may include an icon that can be selected (e.g., using a touch or a cursor). This icon allows playback devices in the selected playback zone or zone group to play or stop, fast forward, rewind, then skip, skip forward, shuffle mode on / off, repeat mode on / off, cross Turn on / off fade mode. The playback control area 410 may include another selectable icon. Other selectable icons may change other settings such as equalization settings and playback volume.

  The playback zone area 420 may include an indication of playback zones within the media playback system 100. In one embodiment, graphical display of the playback zone may be selectable. By moving additional selectable icons, playback zones within the media playback system can be managed or configured. For example, other management or configuration may be performed, such as creating combined zones, creating zone groups, splitting zone groups, and renaming zone groups.

  For example, as shown, a "group" icon may be provided on each of the graphical representations of the playback zone. A "group" icon in the graphic display of a zone may be selectable to select one or more zones in the media playback system to present an option to group with a zone. Once grouped, playback devices in a zone grouped with a zone are configured to play audio content in synchronization with playback devices in the zone. Similarly, a "group" icon may be provided in the graphical representation of the zone group. In this case, the "group" icon is selectable to give the option of deselecting one or more zones in the zone group in order to remove one or more zones in the zone group from the zone group It may be. Other interactions for grouping and ungrouping zones via user interfaces, such as user interface 400, are possible and can be implemented. The display of playback zones in the playback zone area 420 may be dynamically updated as the playback zone or zone group configuration is changed.

  The playback status area 430 displays a graphical representation of the currently played audio content, previously played audio content, or audio content scheduled to be played next within the selected playback zone or zone group. May be included. Selectable playback zones or playback groups may be visually distinguished on the user interface, for example, within playback zone region 420 and / or playback status region 430. The graphic display includes the track title, artist name, album name, album year, track length, and other relevant information useful to the user when controlling the media playback system via the user interface 400. It is also good.

  The play queue area 440 may include a graphical representation of audio content in a play queue associated with the selected play zone or zone group. In one embodiment, each playback zone or zone group may be associated with a playback queue that includes information corresponding to zero or more audio items played by the playback zone or group. For example, each audio item in the playback queue may include a URL, a URL, or any other identifier that can be used by a playback device within a playback zone or zone group. It may be These allow audio items to be found and / or retrieved from local audio content sources or network audio content sources and played back by the playback device.

  In one example, a playlist may be added to the play queue. In this case, information corresponding to each audio item in the playlist may be added to the playback queue. In another example, audio items in the play queue may be saved as a playlist. In yet another example, when the playback device continues to play streaming audio content, eg, an internet radio that is played continuously unless stopped, rather than an audio item that is not played continuously by having a play time, The playback queue may be empty or "unused" but filled. In another embodiment, the playback queue may include Internet radio and / or other streaming audio content items, and be "in use" when a playback zone or zone group is playing those items. Can. Other examples are also possible.

  When a playback zone or zone group is "grouped" or "ungrouped", the playback queue associated with the affected playback zone or zone group may be cleared or reassociated May be For example, if a first playback zone that includes a first playback queue is grouped with a second playback zone that includes a second playback queue, the formed zone group may have an associated playback queue . The associated play queue is initially empty or contains an audio item of the first play queue (eg, if the second play zone is added to the first play zone) (eg, the first play) If a zone is added to the second playback zone, the audio items of the second playback queue may be included, or audio items of both the first playback queue and the second playback queue may be combined. Thereafter, if the formed zone group is ungrouped, the ungrouped first reproduction zone may be reassociated with the previous first reproduction queue or may be associated with an empty new reproduction queue Or may be associated with a new play queue that includes audio items of the play queue that were associated with the zone group before the zone group was ungrouped. Similarly, the ungrouped second playback zone may be reassociated with the previous second playback queue, may be associated with an empty new playback queue, or before the zone group is ungrouped. , And may be associated with a new playback queue that includes audio items of the playback queue that were associated with the zone group. Other examples are also possible.

  Returning to the user interface 400 of FIG. 4, a graphical representation of the audio content in the play queue area 440 includes the track title, artist name, track length, and other relevant information associated with the audio content in the play queue. May be included. In one example, graphical representations of audio content can be moved by selecting additional selectable icons. This allows the management and / or manipulation of the playback cue and / or the audio content displayed in the playback cue. For example, the displayed audio content may be removed from the playback queue, moved to a different position in the playback queue, played immediately or played after the currently playing audio content. May be selected or other operations may be performed. The playback queue associated with the playback zone or zone group may be the memory of one or more playback devices in the playback zone or zone group, the memory of playback devices not in the playback zone or zone group, and / or other designations May be stored in the memory of the device.

  Audio content source area 450 may include a graphical representation of selectable audio content sources. In this audio content source, the audio content may be retrieved and played by the selected playback zone or zone group. Descriptions of audio content sources can be found in the following sections.

d. Exemplary Audio Content Source As illustrated previously, one or more playback devices in a zone or zone group may have multiple audio content to play (e.g., based on the corresponding URI or URL of the audio content) May be configured to be retrieved from a source of available audio content. In one example, audio content may be retrieved directly from the corresponding audio content source (eg, line-in connection) by the playback device. In another example, audio content may be provided to playback devices on the network via one or more other playback devices or network devices.

  An exemplary audio content source may include memory of one or more playback devices in a media playback system. As the media playback system, for example, the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, a local music library on one or more network devices (for example, a control device, a network compatible personal computer, or a network attached storage (NAS)), A streaming audio service providing audio content via the Internet (eg cloud), or an audio source connected to a media playback system via a playback device or a line-in input connection of a network device, or other possible system May be

  In one embodiment, audio content sources may be periodically added to or removed from media playback systems, such as the media playback system 100 of FIG. In one example, indexing of audio items may be performed each time one or more audio content sources are added, removed or updated. Audio item indexing may include scanning for identifiable audio items in all folders / directories shared over the network. Here, the network is accessible by the playback device in the media playback system. Also, the indexing of audio items may include creating or updating an audio content database that includes metadata (eg, title, artist, album, track length, etc.) and other relevant information. Good. Other relevant information may include, for example, a URI or a URL for finding each identifiable audio item. Other examples for managing and maintaining audio content sources are also possible.

  The above description of the playback device, the control device, the playback zone configuration, and the media content source provides only a few exemplary operating environments in which the functions and methods described below can be implemented. The invention is applicable to other operating environments and configurations of media playback systems, playback devices, and network devices not explicitly mentioned herein, and to implement their functions and methods. Is suitable.

e. Exemplary Multiple Network Devices FIG. 5 shows an exemplary plurality of devices 500 that may be configured to provide an audio playback experience based on voice control. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the device shown in FIG. 5 is for illustrative purposes only, and that variations including different and / or additional devices may be possible. As illustrated, the plurality of devices 500 controls computing devices 504, 506, 508, network microphone devices (NMDs) 512, 514, 516, playback devices (PBDs) 532, 534, 536, 538, and And a device (CR) 522.

  Each of the plurality of devices 500 is mainly NFC, Bluetooth (registered trademark), mainly via one or more types of networks such as wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), and personal area network (PAN). It may be a network enabled device that can establish communication with one or more other devices in the plurality of devices according to Ethernet and one or more network protocols such as IEEE 802.11.

  As shown, computing devices 504, 506, 508 may be part of cloud network 502. Cloud network 502 may comprise additional computing devices. In one example, computing devices 504, 506, 508 may be different servers. In another example, two or more of the computing devices 504, 506, 508 may be modules of a single server. Similarly, each of the computing devices 504, 506, 508 may comprise one or more modules or servers. Each of the computing devices 504, 506, 508 may be configured to perform specific functions within the cloud network 502 to facilitate illustration herein. For example, computing device 508 may be a source of audio content for a music streaming service.

  As shown, computing device 504 may be configured to interface with NMDs 512, 514, 516 via communication path 542. NMDs 512, 514, 516 may be components of one or more "smart home" systems. In some cases, the NMDs 512, 514, 516 may be physically located throughout the home, similar to the device placement shown in FIG. In other cases, two or more of the NMDs 512, 514, 516 may be physically located relatively close to one another. Communication path 542 may comprise one or more types of networks such as WANs, including the Internet, LANs, and / or PANs.

  In one example, one or more of NMDs 512, 514, 516 may be devices configured primarily for voice detection. In another example, one or more of the NMDs 512, 514, 516 may be components of a device having various primary utilities. For example, as described above in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3, one or more of the NMDs 512, 514, 516 may be the microphone 220 of the playback device 200 or the microphone 310 of the network device 300. Furthermore, in some cases, one or more of the NMDs 512, 514, 516 may be the playback device 200 or the network device 300. In one example, one or more of the NMDs 512, 514, and / or 516 may comprise multiple microphones arranged in a microphone array.

  As shown, computing device 506 may be configured to interface with CR 522 and PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 via communication path 544. In one example, CR 522 may be a network device such as network device 200 of FIG. Thus, the CR 522 may be configured to provide the controller interface 400 of FIG. Similarly, the PBDs 532 534 536 538 may be playback devices such as the playback device 300 of FIG. Thus, the PBDs 532 534 536 538 may be physically located throughout the home as shown in FIG. For illustrative purposes, PBDs 536 and 538 may be part of binding zone 530, while PBDs 532 and 534 may be part of their respective zones. As discussed above, PBDs 532 534 536 538 may be dynamically joined, grouped, unjoined, and ungrouped. Communication path 544 may comprise one or more types of networks such as a WAN, including the Internet, a LAN, and / or a PAN.

  In one example, similar to NMDs 512, 514, 516, CR 522 and PBDs 532 534 536 538 may also be components of one or more "Smart Home" systems. In some cases, PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 may be located throughout the same home as NMDs 512, 514, 516. Furthermore, as suggested above, one or more of PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 may be one or more of NMDs 512, 514, 516.

  The NMDs 512, 514, 516 may be part of a local area network, and the communication path 542 links the local area networks of the NMDs 512, 514, 516 to the computing device 504 via a WAN (communication path not shown) ) An access point may be provided. Similarly, each of the NMDs 512, 514, 516 may communicate with one another via such access points.

  Similarly, CR 522 as well as PBDs 532 534 536 538 may be part of a local area network and / or local regeneration network as described in the previous paragraph, and communication path 544 may be CR 522 and PBD 532 534. , 536, 538 and / or an access point that links the local playback network to the computing device 506 via the WAN. Thus, each of CR 522 as well as PBDs 532 534 536 538 may also communicate with one another via such access points.

  In one example, communication paths 542 and 544 may comprise the same access point. In one example, each of NMDs 512, 514, 516, CR 522, and PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 may access cloud network 502 through the same home access point.

  As shown in FIG. 5, each of NMDs 512, 514, 516, CR 522, and PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 may also communicate directly with one or more of the other devices via communication means 546. The communication means 546 described herein may include one or more types of communication between devices according to one or more network protocols, via one or more types of networks, and / or Communication may be included via one or more other network devices. For example, the communication means 546 may mainly comprise one or more of Bluetooth (registered trademark) (IEEE 802.15), NFC, wireless direct, and / or proprietary wireless.

  In one example, CR 522 may communicate with NMD 512 via Bluetooth and may communicate with PBD 534 via another local area network. In another example, the NMD 514 may communicate with the CR 522 via another local area network, and may communicate with the PBD 536 via Bluetooth. In yet another example, each of the PBDs 532 534 536 538 may communicate with each other according to the Spanning Tree Protocol via a local playback network while CR 522 and with a local area network different from the local playback network. Each may communicate. Other examples are also possible.

  In some cases, the communication means between the NMDs 512, 514, 516, CR 522, and PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 may change depending on the type of communication between devices, network conditions, and / or latency requirements. For example, the communication means 546 may be used when initially introducing the NMD 516 into a home with the PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538. In some cases, NMD 516 sends identification information corresponding to NMD 516 to PBD 538 via NFC, and PBD 538 sends local area network information to NMD 516 via NFC (or any other form of communication). Good. However, once the NMD 516 is configured in the home, the means of communication between the NMD 516 and the PBD 538 may vary. For example, NMD 516 may continue to communicate with PBD 538 via communication path 542, cloud network 502, and communication path 544. In another example, the NMD and the PBD may never communicate via the local communication means 546. In yet another example, the NMD and PBD may communicate primarily via the local communication means 546. Other examples are also possible.

  In the illustrative example, the NMDs 512, 514, 516 may be configured to receive audio input to control the PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538. The available control commands may include any of the media playback system controls described above, such as primarily playback volume control, playback transport control, music source selection, and grouping. For example, NMD 512 may receive an audio input to control one or more of PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538. In response to receiving the speech input, NMD 512 may send the speech input to computing device 504 for processing purposes via communication path 542. In one example, computing device 504 may translate speech input into equivalent text commands and parse the text commands to identify the commands. The computing device 504 may then subsequently send text commands to the computing device 506. In another example, computing device 504 may translate speech input into an equivalent text command and then subsequently send the text command to computing device 506. The computing device 506 may then parse the text command to identify one or more playback commands.

  For example, if the text command is "playing" track 1 "with" zone 1 "to" streaming service 1 "to" artist 1 ", the computing device 506 may (i) from" streaming service 1 " It may identify the available "track 1" URL from "artist 1" and (ii) at least one playback device in "zone 1". In this example, the URL of “track 1” by “artist 1” from “streaming service 1” may be a URL pointing to computing device 508, and even though “zone 1” is a combined zone 530 Good. In this manner, having identified the URL and one or both of PBDs 536 and 538, computing device 506 may also transmit the identified URL for playback to one or both of PBDs 536 and 538 via communication path 544. Good. One or both of the PBDs 536 and 538 react quickly to obtain audio content from the computing device 508 according to the received URL, and to start playing "track 1" by "artist 1" from "streaming service 1" May be

  In yet another example, computing device 504 may perform some processing to identify the user's associated command or intent and provide computing device 506 with information regarding the media content associated with the voice input. . For example, computing device 504 performs speech-to-text conversion of speech input and analyzes speech input to generate commands or intents (eg, play, pause, stop, turn up, turn down, skip, (Play, group, ungroup) may be generated along with other information on how to execute the command. Computing device 504 or computing device 506 may determine which PBD commands correspond to the commands or intents determined by computing device 504. The computing device 504 may transmit the command or intent determined from the speech input and / or other information related to the execution of the command to the computing device 506. Processing on computing device 504 may be performed by applications, modules, add-on software, integration with a native network microphone system software platform, and / or by a native network microphone system software platform.

  Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above is only one exemplary example and that other implementations are possible. In some cases, the operations performed by one or more of the plurality of devices 500 as described above may be performed by one or more other devices in the plurality of devices 500. For example, the conversion from speech input to text command may alternatively, partially or completely be performed by another device or devices, such as NMD 512, computing device 506, PBD 536, and / or PBD 538. Good. Similarly, the identification of the URL may be alternatively, partially or completely performed by another device or multiple devices such as NMD 512, computing device 504, PBD 536, and / or PBD 538.

f. Exemplary Network Microphone Device FIG. 6 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary network microphone device 600 that may be configured to be one or more of the NMDs 512, 514, 516 of FIG. As shown, the network microphone device 600 comprises a processor 602, a memory 604, a microphone array 606, a network interface 608, a user interface 610, a software component 612 and a speaker 614. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other network microphone device configurations and arrangements are possible. For example, the network microphone device may alternatively exclude the speaker 614 or have a single microphone instead of the microphone array 606.

  Processor 602 may comprise one or more processors and / or controllers, which may take the form of general purpose processors or special purpose processors or controllers. For example, processing unit 602 may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, application specific integrated circuit, digital signal processor, and the like. Memory 604 may be a data storage device that can load one or more software components executable by processor 602 to perform these functions. Therefore, the memory 604 mainly includes volatile storage media such as random access memory, registers, caches, and non-volatile storage media such as read only memory, hard disk drive, solid state drive, flash memory, and / or optical storage device. May be provided with one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media, as an example.

  The microphone array 606 may be a plurality of microphones arranged to detect sound in the environment surrounding the network microphone device 600. The microphone array 606 may be any type of microphone known or later developed, primarily a condenser microphone, an electret condenser microphone, or a dynamic microphone. In one example, the microphone array may be arranged to detect speech from one or more directions with respect to the network microphone device. Microphone array 606 may be sensitive to a portion of the frequency range. In one example, a first subset of the microphone array 606 may be sensitive to the first frequency range while a second subset of the microphone array may be sensitive to the second frequency range. Microphone array 606 may be further configured to capture positional information of a sound source (eg, voice, audible sound) and / or assist in filtering background noise. In particular, in some embodiments, the microphone array may be comprised of only a single microphone, rather than multiple microphones.

  Wireless and / or wireless between various network devices, including primarily network interface 608, CR 522, PBD 532-538, computing devices 504-508 in cloud network 502, and other network microphone devices etc. in conjunction with FIG. It may be configured to facilitate wired communication. Thus, the network interface 608 may take any form suitable for performing these functions, such as Ethernet interface, serial bus interface (eg, FireWire, USB 2.0, etc.), wireless communication May include a chipset and antenna configured to facilitate communication, and / or any other interface that provides wired and / or wireless communication. In one example, network interface 608 may be based on industry standards (eg, infrared standards including IEEE 802.3, wireless standards, and wired standards, IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n Wireless standards including 802.11ac, 802.15, and mobile communication standards such as 4G).

  The user interface 610 of the network microphone device 600 may be configured to facilitate user interaction with the network microphone device. In one example, the user interface 608 is primarily a physical button, a touch sensor screen and / or a graphical user interface such as provided on a surface to allow the user to provide input directly to the network microphone device 600. Or you may be equipped with two or more. User interface 610 may further include one or more lights and speakers 614 for providing visual and / or audio feedback to the user. In one example, network microphone device 600 may be further configured to play audio content via speaker 614.

III. Exemplary Systems, Apparatuses, and Methods for Voice Detection Room Correction In many cases, a network microphone device may be placed in close proximity to a playback device. For example, the playback device may be located in the same room as the network microphone device.

  The embodiments described herein include providing the NMD with acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment in which the NMD operates. The surrounding environment may be a room in a home such as a bedroom or a living room. The acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment may define how the sound travels indoors. The acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment may be used by the NMD to interpret voice input emitted towards the NMD. In many cases, a network microphone device (NMD) may be placed in close proximity to the playback device. For example, the playback device may be located in the same room as the NMD.

  Acoustic properties are usually defined by surfaces in the surrounding environment. For example, hard surfaces in the room may reflect sound. On the other hand, soft surfaces may absorb sound. The presence and location of these different types of surfaces in the surrounding environment will affect the acoustical characteristics of the room and the ability to interpret the NMD's audio input.

  The NMD may need to accurately recover the emitted voice input, taking into account these acoustic characteristics. Also, in some cases, audio content may be played back by the playback device as soon as the NMD receives an audio input. Knowledge of the surrounding environment and / or acoustic characteristics during content playback may be used by the NMD to interpret speech input.

  7-11 present embodiments that can be practiced within the disclosed operating environment.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of functions that may be performed to improve the interpretation of speech input received by the NMD. In some instances, one or more of these functions described may be performed by the playback device. In other examples, computing devices such as 504-508 may also perform one or more of these functions in conjunction with, or in place of, a playback device. The computing device may be associated with the playback device and may perform processing associated with the playback device.

  At step 702, acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment may be obtained. This acoustic characteristic may be associated with the surrounding environment in which the playback device is operating. This acoustic property may be determined in various ways. For example, the playback system may have already determined the acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment through several calibration steps. The playback device of the media playback system may have a microphone and a speaker. The speakers may output one or more tones, and one or more speakers may receive the tones using their respective microphones. This tone may be one or more frequencies in the speech. Each of the playback devices may output a tone. Acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment can be determined based on the tones received by the plurality of playback devices. In another example, another network device (control device, first playback device, or even the NMD itself) may be equipped with a microphone that receives the test tone output by the speaker of the second playback device . Other playback devices, or in addition to playback devices, other network devices may analyze received test tones to determine the acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment. Other configurations are also possible.

  Acoustic characteristics may be defined by the spectral response, spatial response, and temporal response of the tone. The spectral response may be an analysis of the audio energy received at the microphone. The spatial response may be an analysis of the direction of the audio energy received by the microphone. The time response may be an analysis of the reflection of audio energy received at the microphone. The playback system may analyze these responses and possibly determine the acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment taking into account the direction from where the tone was received. Notifications indicating the acoustic characteristics may be stored on one or more of the playback device and / or computing devices 504-508.

  In another example, the acoustic characteristics may be predefined based on known characteristics of the room size, the ceiling height of the room, the surrounding environment such as furniture in the room. In a database maintained by one or more of the computing devices 504-508, acoustic characteristics of rooms having features of different types may be stored. The acoustic characteristics stored on the computing device may be determined based on previous analysis for a room having a particular feature. The user may enter room characteristics on the control device of the media playback system, and the control device may access this database to determine the room's acoustic characteristics. These acoustic characteristics may then be provided to playback devices located in the environment, or they may be stored on a computing device.

  As an example, the acoustical properties may indicate that there is a hard surface on the left side of the room, a soft surface on the right side, and the room is rectangular in shape. In short, acoustic characteristics can characterize the room from an acoustic point of view.

  The media playback system may comprise multiple playback devices. Each of the playback devices may have acoustical characteristics of the surrounding environment in which the playback device operates. At step 704, one or more NMDs may be identified. One or more NMDs may be in the same ambient environment. In some instances, the playback device that transmits the acoustical properties to the NMD may be the playback device in the immediate vicinity of the NMD. In another example, the playback device that sends acoustic properties to the NMD may be a playback device that is in the same zone as the NMD. The proximity may be indicated in several calibration processes during setup of the playback device and / or the NMD. For example, the NMD may send its presence presentation to the playback device. This presence or absence may be indicated by state variables in the playback device. The playback device may access this state variable to identify the NMD. The NMD may also have similar state variables that identify the presence of the playback device.

  In another example, the playback devices of the media playback system may be coupled (paired or grouped) with the NMD. This coupling may also indicate that the playback device and the NMD are in close proximity to one another, such as being in the same room or zone, or playing content synchronously. The coupling between the playback device and the NMD may be similar in some ways to the coupling method of the playback device. This coupling may be reflected in the state variables stored by the playback device. If the NMD is coupled to a playback device, the playback device may be arranged to identify the NMD. Furthermore, if the NMD is moved and coupled to another playback device, the state variable in another playback device may be updated to reflect the binding to the NMD. Similarly, the NMD may update its state variables to reflect the presence of a new playback device.

  In some instances, various networking technologies may be used to reduce latency between coupled playback devices and NMDs. For example, local network connection (LAN or Bluetooth) may be used for communication rather than WAN network connection. As another example, while combining the playback device with the NMD, the communication may revert to a different frequency range within the local network, such as switching from “typical” 2.4 Ghz communication to 5 Ghz communication, for example. As yet another example, if the playback device is coupled to the NMD, the communication switches to either a 2.4 Ghz or 5 Ghz spectrum reserved channel or, for example, the playback device acts as a relay node for other network traffic Other network traffic may be reduced, such as stopping things. Other configurations are also possible.

  At step 706, acoustical properties may be provided for application to speech input. In one embodiment, the acoustic characteristics may be transmitted as a message from the playback device to the NMD via one or more of the communication networks 546. In other embodiments, the playback device may cause the NMD to transmit acoustic characteristics on the computing device via the communication link 542. In yet another embodiment, the acoustic property may be on a computing device associated with the playback device, and the playback device may allow the computing device associated with the NMD to access the acoustic property. Other configurations are also possible.

  In some embodiments, the playback device may not need to provide acoustical properties to the NMD. Alternatively, it may be possible to obtain acoustical properties from the computing device itself by the NMD. The NMD may provide notification of the playback device in close proximity (coupled, paired or otherwise) with the computing device, and the computing device may provide acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment. May be Other configurations are also possible.

  The NMD can process audio input, usually via microphone responses. Microphone response is a measure of the sensitivity of the microphone to frequency.

  In some embodiments, the NMD may apply acoustic characteristics to the self-received speech input to correct for distortion in the speech input. Thus, it may be possible to better interpret speech input by the NMD. The NMD may apply this acoustical property itself and / or offload processing to the computing device if the processing at the NMD may be cloud based.

The NMD may define a filter based on acoustical properties when applying the acoustical properties to the speech input. This filter may include spectral response, spatial response, and temporal response in the surrounding environment. The NMD may apply a filter to the speech input it receives to correct the distortion before interpreting the speech input. This filter may be determined based on the following derivation.
Xa (w) × P (w) × h (w) × m (w) = Ya (w)
Where Xa is the calibration tone, P is the speaker response of the playback device, h is the room response (eg, room acoustics), m is the microphone response, Ya is the processing response, This may be a received tone that corresponds to the tone sent during the calibration process. The symbol x represents a convolution function in the frequency domain. Since Xa, P, m and Ya are known, the room response (e.g., filter) may be calculated as follows.
h ⁻¹ (w): Xa (w) × P (w) × m (w) = Ya (w) × h ⁻¹ (w)
Then, when the voice input Yb is received, an indoor response h (for example, a filter) may be applied to determine the voice input Xb as follows.
Xb (w) = Yb (w) × h ⁻¹ (w) × P ⁻¹ (w) × m ⁻¹ (w)

  In some embodiments, the playback system may periodically determine the acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment, taking into account changes in the surrounding environment. In this case, one or more playback devices may perform operations 702-706 periodically so that the NMD can apply the latest acoustical properties to the received audio input and interpret it appropriately.

  FIG. 8 is another flow chart illustrating functions that may be performed to improve the recovery of voice input by the NMD. In some instances, one or more of these functions described may be performed by the playback device. In other examples, computing devices 504-508 or the like may also perform one or more of these functions in conjunction with, or in place of, the playback device. The computing device may be associated with the playback device and may perform processing associated with the playback device.

  The acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment may be obtained at step 802, the NMD may be identified at step 804, and the acoustic characteristics may be provided at step 806. This acoustic property may be provided to the NMD and / or computing devices associated with the NMD.

  In some cases, the NMD may operate in a peripheral environment where the media playback system is simultaneously playing audio content. The NMD may receive audio input even when audio content is being played simultaneously.

  At step 808, audio content may be provided. Audio content may be provided to the NMD and / or computing devices associated with the NMD. This content may be, for example, a stream of music played by the playback device. The playback device may provide audio content to an NMD that is close to the NMD that is in the same zone as the NMD, or to the NMD that may be combined (or grouped) with the NMD. In some embodiments, this content may be provided to the NMD via a computing device, such as when processing by the NMD is cloud based. In yet another embodiment, the content is for computing devices associated with the NMD via the computing device associated with the playback device, such as when processing by the NMD and / or the playback device is cloud based, etc. May be provided.

  At step 808, acoustical properties (and, optionally, audio content) may be applied to the audio input. For example, the NMD (or a computing device associated with the NMD) may apply a filter to the speech input it receives to interpret that speech input. For example, the NMD (or computing device associated with the NMD) may use audio content played back with the audio input to better isolate the audio input. The audio content played back by the playback device may be noise in nature to interpret the audio input. In this regard, the audio content may be removed from the received audio input to better isolate the received audio input.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of functions performed by an NMD and / or an associated computing device when interpreting voice input. At step 902, a notification may be obtained that indicates the acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment. At step 904, the audio content being played by the playback device may also be received as needed. The playback device may be in the same zone as the NMD is located or be coupled to the NMD. At step 906, voice input may be received, for example, by the NMD. The voice input may be a voice command. The NMD may know that a speech input has been received by the pressing of some button on the NMD, or by a command word in the speech input indicating that it is a speech input. At step 908, one or more of the audio content played back by the filter and / or playback device may be applied or used to interpret the received audio input.

  FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a function that allows, for example, the playback device to provide the acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment, but allows the NMD to determine this. This function may be performed by the playback device and / or the computing device associated with the playback device.

  The NMD may send an instruction to command one or more playback devices to play the tone. The playback device to which the NMD sends instructions includes a playback device close to the NMD, and / or a playback device coupled (or grouped) with the NMD or in the same zone as the NMD It is also good.

  At step 1002, an indication to command playback of the audio tone may be received. This indication may be received from the NMD or a computing device associated with the NMD. In response, an audio tone may be output by the playback device at step 1004. The NMD may receive this tone using a microphone array 606. Microphone array 606 may provide a notification indicating the amplitude of the tone. Additionally, the microphone array 606 may provide a notification indicating the direction of the tone. This direction may be determined based on tone reception from multiple playback devices. The NMD and / or associated computing device may then determine the acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment based on tone reception from the plurality of playback devices. Thus, the NMD may not need to acquire this acoustical property from the playback device.

  Microphone array 606 may allow the NMD to determine the direction of the source of the speech input. This orientation can be used by the playback device to improve playback of the audio content. For example, the media playback system may direct audio sound generated from one or more playback devices in the same direction as the source of the audio input. This may be the direction in which the listener is located. Other configurations are also possible.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of functions performed by the playback device and / or the associated computing device in connection with using the directivity determined by the NMD.

  At step 1102, a notification indicating a direction may be received. This may be received from the NMD and / or the associated computing device. This direction may indicate where the NMD has received speech input and thus where the user may be located in the surrounding environment. The playback device may have multiple speakers and their output may be controlled to have an effect on the directionality of the audio content played by the playback device. In step 1104, the playback device may use this directivity to adjust the audio output of multiple speakers. The audio output may be playback of music content. The playback device may adjust the phase of the audio signal output by the speaker to generate audio output directivity according to the directivity specified by the NMD. In this regard, audio content may be directed to the user, thus improving the audio listening experience. Additionally or alternatively, the playback device may adjust the amplitude (eg, volume) of the audio output. In some cases, NMD may also generate audio output. The audio output may be an audio response to audio input, or some other type of audio such as a beep or a tone. Additionally or alternatively, the playback device may be suitable for outputting the audio output in place of or in addition to the NMD using this directivity. It may be identified. For example, the identified playback device may be in front of the listener, which allows the listener to easily listen to the audio output. Other configurations are also possible.

IV. Exemplary Systems, Devices, and Methods for Audio Control of a Media Playback System The examples described herein may include controlling a media playback system. In particular, FIG. 12 shows an exemplary flow diagram 1200 for a method for playing an audio response. Method 1200 may, for example, be one or more of media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, one or more of playback devices 200 of FIG. 2, one or more of control devices 300 of FIG. 3, and one or more of the plurality of devices in system 500 of FIG. And provides an embodiment of a method that can be performed within an operating environment including: Method 1200 includes transmitting and receiving information between a network microphone system and a media playback system via various communication paths as described herein, and / or “a network playback system and a network microphone system Metadata exchange channel described in Application No. 62 / 298,350 filed Feb. 22, 2016 entitled "Metadata Exchange Involving a Networked Playback System and a Networked Microphone System". It may include using. This application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Method 1200 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions.

  In some examples, one or more of the NMDs 512, 514, 516 may be connected to one or more networks or communication paths 542, 546. The NMD may be configured to integrate or interface with a media playback system (e.g., computing device 506, CR 522, PBD 532, 534, 536, 538). The NMD may be included in a network microphone system (e.g., NMD 512, 514, 516, 504).

  At block 1202, the user is associated, for example, at block 1202 with the NMD or network microphone system or media playback system to configure the NMD to interface with or associate the media playback system with the media playback system A control device (e.g., CR 522) may be selected to launch the application. This application may be an application for controlling functions or settings of the network microphone system and / or the media playback system. The network microphone system may have one or more dedicated add-on functions available to bring the network microphone system with additions or enhancements of functions.

  At block 1204, the add-on features available for the network microphone system may be displayed for user selection. An exemplary user interface 1300 displaying available add-on features is shown in FIG. 13A. The NMD may have one or more available add-on features 1302, 1304, 1306. Function 1302 may be, for example, a music control function that can control playback of the media playback system. At block 1206, the control device may receive user input to add music control functions or skills to the NMD. For example, the user may select the addition of music control function 1302 by selecting function 1302. The music control function 1302 may be an application that adds music control functions or skills to the network microphone system for the user. When the addition of the music control function 1302 is selected, the display is switched and the user interface 1308 is displayed, prompting the user to input account information.

  At block 1208, the control device may receive account information for adding music control functionality via the user interface 1308 and the input fields 1310 and 1312. This account information may be that of the account that the user has in the media playback system and / or music service. The account information may include the username and password of the account. A username may be entered in field 1310 and a password may be entered in field 1312. The user selects a button such as send button 1314 to send the username and password, and authenticates the media playback system (eg, computing device 506) and / or the music service (eg, computing device 508) You may go. Send account information via any of the communication paths 542, 544, 546 and / or the metadata exchange channel for authentication work on the computing device 504, computing device 506, and / or computing device 508. May be Once authenticated, user information associated with the account may be transmitted from the media playback system to the network microphone system. The user information may be a custom name (eg, custom zone name, custom playlist name, custom song name, custom album name, custom artist name, etc.), a household identifier associated with the user information, a PBD identifier, and / or a zone identifier. It is also good. The custom name may be any name specified by the user. For example, the media playback system may provide a list of common zone names that can be selected by the user when naming the zone, and / or may give the user an option when entering the zone name. The interface of control device 300 may display a list of common zone names and / or may display fields where the user can enter a custom zone name by receiving input (eg, voice, text) . Custom name information may be sent to or shared with any device in system 500.

  At block 1210, a default zone (eg, one or more playback devices) or a plurality of default zones (eg, at least two playback devices in different zones, a group of at least two zones) are determined for the NMD It is also good. This default zone or playback device may be determined as described in Application No. 62 / 298,410 filed Feb. 22, 2016 entitled "Default Playback Device". This application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

  In some aspects, the user may specify a default zone during initial configuration or setup. The user interface 1316 shown in FIG. 13C illustrates an exemplary user interface that allows the user to select a default playback zone to associate with the NMD. User interface 1316 may display a list of available playback zones 1318. The available playback zone names displayed may include a custom name associated with the entered user account at block 1208. For example, the list of available playback zones 1318 may include a "living room", a "kitchen" and a custom zone name "Nick's Room". The displayed list may be selectable to allow the user to specify a default zone for playing audio responses and / or music in response to commands received by the NMD or other control device. FIG. 13C shows an example where the user selects the kitchen as a default zone. The user may select a button 1320, such as a submit button, to confirm the selection of the default zone and transmit the selection. A confirmation screen 1322 shown in FIG. 13D may be displayed to notify the user that the setting process has been completed, or the user may select button 1326 and close the confirmation screen 1322.

  At block 1212, user-specific playback information may be sent, for example, from the media playback system to the network microphone system. The user specific information may be custom playback information such as custom zone names, custom playlists, and / or custom playlist names. In some aspects, user specific information and / or user accounts may be associated with a household identifier (HHI). A media playback system (eg, computing device 506, CR 522, PBD 532) via user specific playback information, eg, via a metadata exchange channel and / or any other communication path between the media playback system and the network microphone system. , PBD 534, PBD 536, and / or PBD 538) to a network microphone system (eg, computing device 504, NMD 512, NMD 514, and / or NMD 516).

  The computing device 504 may store custom playback information as dynamic variables, which may be variables that can be dynamically associated with various variable types. For example, the "nick room" may be a custom zone name, which may be stored as a dynamic variable associated with the zone variable type. As another example, "Nick's Faves" may be a custom playlist with a custom name created by the user. The name "nick's favorite" is stored as a dynamic variable and may be associated with a playlist variable type. In this way, the network microphone system may recognize and identify custom information associated with the user in the speech input.

  Dynamic variables may be stored in tables or other data structures and may be dynamically associated with various variable types. For example, each dynamic variable may be associated with one or more variable types. Dynamic variables may be stored with an identifier associated with the user account. For example, a custom zone name "nick room" may be associated with a zone identifier of the media playback system and / or an identifier of a PBD in the "nick room" zone. As another example, a custom zone name "nick's room" may be stored with a zone identifier tag, and / or an identifier of a PBD in the "nick's room" zone with a tag in the "nick's room" zone It may be stored. Dynamic variables may be constantly, periodically or aperiodically updated to be added or deleted by the user, or to include new custom names associated with the user account. The custom name may be any user specified name that may or may not already exist in the database.

  In some examples, each dynamic variable may be stored with or associated with an identifier that may be used to identify a dynamic variable of media playback system commands. For example, the zone name "nick room" may be stored with a zone identifier unique to the media playback system, and if the command requires an action to be performed on a playback device in the "nick room" A zone identifier of "nick room" may be provided in addition to or in place of the "nick room" along with media playback system commands.

  At block 1214, the user may provide voice input by issuing a command or request that may be received by the NMD. The network microphone system can convert speech input from speech to text and analyze the words to determine the syntax of the speech input. The voice command may have a specific syntax that allows the network microphone system to recognize that it is within the scope or domain of music playback control. For example, the user may say, "Play the Beatles in the Kitchen and Nick's Room" in the room of the kitchen and Nick. The network microphone system may recognize the word “play” as a command corresponding to the intent associated with music playback, or the intent itself, and in block 1216 this voice command plays music It may be identified as within the scope or domain of control.

  In another example, the presence or inclusion of one or more instances of media variables and / or one or more instances of zone variables means that the command word "play" is "played". It may indicate that it corresponds to the intent. The network microphone system searches a music catalog containing music metadata and, for example, by determining that the artist is named "The Beatles", "The Beatles" corresponds to an instance of a media variable. It may be determined that there is. The network microphone system may also determine that "kitchen" and / or "nick room" correspond to zone names based on common zone names and / or dynamic variables associated with zone variable types. Good. The combination of the "Play" command word and the "Beatles" media variable and / or the "nick room" allows the network microphone system to have an audio control intent regarding the playback of the requested music. It may be determined that it corresponds to.

  Since the voice command has been identified as within the scope or domain of music playback control, the network microphone system prioritizes the search results for music content associated with the known artist "The Beatles" and The search results of the music content related to "the beetles", which is a homonym unrelated to any known artist, may be prioritized or eliminated. In other words, in response to identifying that the speech input is in the music domain, a set of words or vocabulary used for speech-to-text recognition may not be found in the dictionary and / or may be listed in the dictionary It may be modified to be unique to the music domain, which may include words of a style different from words or speech.

  For example, in response to determining that the speech input is in the music domain, a set of words or vocabulary used for speech text recognition relates to the media item (eg, artist name, track name, album name, song name) It may be updated to include metadata information. In some aspects, the audio input includes input of characters and / or symbols, such as in custom names (eg, zones, playlists), media variables, and / or artist names, album names, and / or track names, etc. It may be. As another example, the words in the text resulting from speech-to-text conversion may be modified to use media-specific words before processing the music control commands. Music metadata, media catalogs, and / or custom or local media identifiers (eg, for example, in voice-to-text conversion for instances of media variables, in addition to or instead of the standard language used for network microphone systems You may use words found in playlist names, track names, album names, artist names, etc. Similarly, custom zone names may be used in speech-to-text conversion for zone variables.

  At block 1218, speech input may be processed, including music control commands. The network microphone system may have various predefined associated with the user's intent (eg, play, pause, add to queue, group, control of other transports, control available through control device 300) It may have the syntax of Each intent may correspond to one or more media playback system commands that may or may not be the same as, or the same as, the intent. For example, the intent to transfer music playback from the first zone to the second zone may be a media playback system command to transfer the currently playing media item and / or playback queue from the first zone to the second zone It may correspond. In another example, the intent to transfer music copies the play queue of the first zone to the play queue of the second zone to the media playback system and / or the state variable of the first zone is the second zone It may correspond to a play queue copy command instructing to copy to the state variable of.

  As yet another example, the intent to transfer music may correspond to two media playback system commands. These two commands group the second zone into the first zone and then remove the first zone from the group to substantially transfer the state of the first zone to the second zone. May be

  The media playback system command may include an application program interface (API) that is called in response to determining that the intent corresponds to the media playback system command. The network microphone system and / or media playback system may have a mapping or correspondence defined between the user's intent and media playback system commands.

  In some examples, media playback system commands may also be performed on data stored on computing devices (eg, computing device 504, computing device 506, computing device 508) in cloud network 502. Good. For example, an intent to add media items (eg, tracks, albums, playlists) to another playlist or playback queue may be added to a playlist or playback queue stored in the cloud network 502. The playback cues stored in the PBD 532, 534, 536, 538 are stored in the cloud network 502 so that part of the playback cues matches part or all of the playlists or playback cues in the cloud network 502 It may be updated as the list or playback queue changes.

  Specific words, syntax, and / or phrases may be associated with the same intent. For example, including the "play", "listen", or "listen" command words in the audio input may correspond to the user's intent that the media playback system plays media content. Each intent may have various types of variables or slots predefined to perform the action specified by the command or intent. Variables or slots may be at predetermined locations or positions within various phrases. For example, the syntax of the "play" command may have media variables for the media that the user wishes to play, and where the user wishes to play the media content to the associated playback device, or for the zone It may further have variables or zone variables. In the voice command example "play the Beatles in the Kitchen", the instance of the media variable or music variable is "Beatles" and the instance of the zone variable is "Kitchen" May be The network microphone system and / or the media playback system, in identifying associated objects corresponding to the instance of the media variable and / or the instance of the zone variable, the media in a form different from and / or different from the zone variable Variables may be processed.

  Another example of a syntax or phrase that can be associated with the “play” intent is the syntax “let's [media variable] with [zone variable]”. One example of this syntax is "Let me hear Paul Simon's song in Emily's room (Let me hear Paul Simon in Emily's Room)", where "Let me (Let me "hear" may be associated with a "play" intent, "Paul Simon" may be an instance of a media variable, and "Emily's Room". ) May be an instance of a zone variable. The network microphone system may analyze the speech input and determine which of the syntaxes stored in the network microphone system match the speech input to identify the intent of the speech input. This syntax may be stored on any device in the network microphone system.

  As yet another example of the syntax or phrase of the "play" intent or command, the syntax "I want to hear [media variable] with [zone variable]" can be mentioned. The word "listen" or the clause "I want to listen" may be associated with the "play" intent. Other syntaxes for the "play" intent are also possible.

  Another example command or intent may relate to adding media content to a queue that may be stored in a media playback system (e.g., in a PBD, computing device 506, and / or CR 522). An example syntax for adding to a queue may be "adding [media variable to queue of [zone variable]"]. As with the other aspects described herein, the zone variables are optional and the system may use various techniques or methods (e.g., using a previously used zone, a user's presence using a previously used zone). Based on the information, or often based on the zone playing the media, etc.), the zone to which the command is applied may be determined. Selected media content corresponding to the media variable may be added to the queue in the zone.

  Yet another exemplary command or intent may include a "next play command", which adds the media content selected by this command to the beginning of the queue for next play in the zone. May be An exemplary syntax for this command may be "Play [media variable] next". As with the other aspects described herein, the zone variables may be arbitrary.

  Another example of a command or intent may be a "move command" or a "transfer command", which causes the currently playing music and / or zone playback cues from one zone to another. It may move or transfer. For example, the user may make an audio input of "Move music to [zone variable]", where the command word "Move" or "Transfer" moves the playback state to another zone. It may correspond to a tent.

  The commands and intents described herein are exemplary and other intents or commands are possible. For example, each of the controls available through control device 300 to control the media playback system described herein have corresponding intents available to control the system. It is also good. For example, control command names may correspond to intents. If the control command includes one or more media items, the syntax of the command may include one or more media variables. If the control command includes one or more zones, the syntax of the command may include one or more zone variables. There may be other variables used with different intents.

  Examples of controls available through control device 300 to control the media playback system may include transport control commands. These commands or intents are associated with the media item currently playing, such as transport commands (eg stop, pause, skip, rewind, fast forward, return to previous song, adjust volume etc) Or a command associated with saving the currently playing media item or adding it to another play queue or playlist. The syntax of the intent or action performed on the currently playing media item is simpler and may correspond to the name of the transport control. For example, the voice input for the intent for pausing music playback may be voice input of "pause".

  Different types of variables may be used in different command syntaxes. In the case of media variables, the media variable may be a variable or slot in syntax that is likely to specify via audio input the media content that the user wishes to listen to or play back. Media variables may be music related features or characteristics (eg, type of media variable), such as album name, artist name, song name, playlist name, custom playlist name, genre (eg, pop, classic) , Country, rock, R & B etc., atmosphere (eg romantic, exercise, productivity etc), music tempo (eg upbeat, slow), radio station name, composer name, age of music Sex (Baroque, Romantic, Classical, 20th Century Music, etc.), Period (eg, 80's, 90's), Playlist Creator Name, Ranking (eg, Best, Top 40) and / or other musical This includes, but is not limited to, features related to identification. Music variables may have custom names that may be custom playlist names created by the user of the user account, and / or other custom names (eg, custom song names, custom album names, custom artist names).

  In the case of zone variables, zone variables are likely to specify, via speech input, a location or zone to perform the action or intent requested by the user (eg, play the requested music, etc.) May be a variable or a slot of Users may or may not include zone instances in their speech input. If the user does not specify a zone, for example simply saying "play some Beatles", then the network microphone system and / or the media playback system may have other inputs (eg, the presence of the user) Based on the information, context information, location information), a "play Beatles song" decision may be made in the default zone and / or other zones. Zone variables may include dynamic variables for user-specified custom zone names. As another example, the custom zone name may be, for example, a "nick room" or a "3rd Floor Conference Room".

  In some examples, the syntax may include media services or applications for performing voice input or media service variables for other media related services, products or applications (eg, media playback system). The system may identify a default playback system or zone for all media related content or may associate different playback systems or zones with different services. For example, the user may say, "Play on Spotify Josh Groban in the bedroom" in the bedroom. The present system (for example, a network microphone system and / or a media reproduction system) uses "Spotify" as an instance of a media service variable, "Josh Groban" as an instance of a music variable, and You may recognize "bedroom". The system may search for media content related to "Josh Groban" as described herein in the media catalog of the media service Spotify®.

  Certain types of variables may be scalar types in that they are formed into a vector or set type that includes two or more instances of the same variable. The vectors of scalar variables are “[first scalar variable] and [second scalar variable]”, “[first scalar variable], [second scalar variable], and [third scalar variable]” Or “[first scalar variable] [second scalar variable] [third scalar variable]” may have a format or syntax when the user speaks. For example, the zone variable may be a scalar variable, and the user may specify to play media content in multiple places such as "kitchen, living room, dining room". In some aspects, the vector or predetermined set of scalar variables may be named. For example, a predetermined vector named "downstairs" may be associated with all zones downstairs in the home environment. In the exemplary ambient environment shown in FIG. 1, the "downstairs" may be the "living room", "dining room", "office", "master bedroom", "bedroom" and "bathroom" zones. The control device 300 can display a list of zones, and the user can select a zone from the list of zones to associate with the name or label "downstairs".

  In some instances, media variables may be scalar variables. Two or more of the same type of music variables may be emitted in a single command phrase, and each media variable instance may be combined with other media variable instances separately or with other media variable instances , May be processed for the corresponding media item. For example, the audio input may be "Let's listen to the Beatles and the Beach Boys", which says "[first media variable] and [first It may correspond to the syntax of "listen to media variables of 2". In one aspect, an instance of the "Beatles" first media variable may be processed separately from "the Beach Boys". When processing the Beatles separately from the Beach Boys, the Beatles may be processed for any media item related to the Beatles, and any Beach Boys related to the Beach Boys. Media items may be processed, which are described in more detail in connection with block 1218. In another aspect, an instance of a first media variable of "Beatles" and an instance of a second media variable of "Beachboys" may be treated as one combination, wherein the system is configured to And “Beach Boys” may be processed for media items (eg, the songs played by the Beatles and Beach Boys and / or the songs for which they are listed as artists).

  The network microphone system and / or the media playback system may associate a vector or set of instances of zone variables with the grouping command. For example, the network microphone system and / or the media playback system recognizes the syntax of scalar variables for room variables, and this syntax corresponds to the command of the media playback system that groups instances specified in zone variables. It may be determined that As one example, the user may specify to play media content in the "Living Room, Kitchen, and Nick's Room". The system 500 (eg, the network microphone system and / or the media playback system) recognizes the "nick room" as a zone variable based on the location or location where the "nick room" was uttered as a phrase, and It is also possible to search a table storing dynamic variables of custom zone names corresponding to "room". This search may be performed by computing device 504 and / or computing device 506, and based on the search of the table, custom zone names and / or identifiers may be generated between computing device 504 and computing device 506. It may be sent by This transmission may occur via a metadata exchange channel and / or any other communication path between computing device 504 and computing device 506.

  Another example of a syntax that can be recognized as a grouping command by the media playback system can be "add [zone variable]" or "play also with [zone variable]". For example, the network microphone system may recognize the word "add" or the phrase "also reproduce" as corresponding to a grouping intent or command. The system is based solely on speech input containing command words "add" or "play back" at the position of the command word in its syntax, or based on speech input containing instances of command words and zone variables. The intent may be determined. This type of grouping may be based on a context as an example of which zone the music is already playing in. The media playback system may send this information to the network microphone system via any communication path and / or metadata exchange channel. In some aspects, the media playback system may receive information, and also play music currently playing in one or more zones in a designated zone, and / or existing the designated zone. Understand that it should be included in the group

  In some instances, the music variable may be a scalar variable. For example, the user can specify "play Backstreet Boys music from the 90's". "Backstreet Boys" may be an artist name, and "90's" may be a period to which the music belongs. Another example may be "play American Pie by Madonna" where "American Pie" may be the track name, "Madonna" may be an artist name.

  Music variables may be processed by searching a music database for information related to particular music variables. This database may be a database of music on computing device 504, computing device 506, and / or computing device 508. For example, the user may say "play American Pie". The network microphone system may search the computing device 504 for any music information associated with “American Pi”. The computing device 504 may, for example, an artist having an album with the same name as the music variable, an album name matching or similar to the music variable, a track with the name of the music variable, a radio station of the music variable, A playlist with the music variable's name, search results for streaming service provider identifiers of content associated with the music variable, and / or raw speech-to-text conversion results may be returned. Using the example of "American Pie", the search results show the artist "Don McLean", the album named "American Pie", the track named "American Pie", " A radio station named "American Pie" (for example, an identifier of "American Pie" for Pandora's radio station), a music service (for example a music streaming service such as Spotify® or Pandora®), Search results for track identifiers for tracks "American Pie" (eg, track identifiers, URIs, and / or URLs for "American Pie" for Spotify®), and / or live for "American Pie" Text to speech conversion It may be a return. The network microphone system may provide a set of database search results to the media playback system. This search result may be provided via a metadata exchange channel and / or any other communication path established between the network microphone system and the media playback system.

  In some examples, the voice command may be a specific media content (eg, a song or artist) or a set of media content (eg, an album), such as, for example, "play the American Pie album". May be specified, in which case the search results may return an album named "American Pie" and a music service identifier for an album named "American Pie".

  As another example, the user may issue the command "play foofoo" where the music variable is "foofoo". "Foofoo" may not correspond to any musical feature or characteristic, so that the database may not have any artist, album and / or track corresponding to the music variable "foofoo" There is sex. In this example, the returned search results may only be the result of performing a speech-to-text conversion of "foofoo". Speech-to-text conversion or raw text may be used to search for custom names (eg, custom album names, custom song names, custom artist names). This raw text may be used to retrieve content stored on a device (e.g., CR 522) or network-enabled storage (e.g., network attached storage (NAS)). Network enabled storage may be enabled to communicate with the media playback system and / or the network microphone system via communication paths 542, 544, 546. In some cases, a user may store custom content on computing device 508. The content in the network enabled storage may be indexed on any device in system 500, and these may be searchable based on the raw text.

  As yet another example, the user may issue a command "Play Beatles". It may be interpreted as corresponding to "beetles" as opposed to "Beatles" as a musical context, as those words are homonyms. Because the voice command may be identified as being within the music control at block 716, the network microphone system may be configured to indicate that the Beatles is an artist or the like named "The Beatles" in the voice command "Play Beatles Song". It may be recognized that it is likely to be compatible with the music content of Search the database to search for Beatles artists, Beatles artist identifiers for various streaming services, Beatles artists based on recommended playlist identifiers, and / or live results for voice text conversions of "Beatles" remarks It may be generated.

  As another example, the voice input uttered by the user may be "play jazz". The system 500 may identify "Jazz" as one genre based on a search of a database storing a list of genres. The system may search for related media content that corresponds to the genre of jazz. The search result may be, for example, an identifier of a genre “jazz” in the database of various music services and / or a playlist name or an identifier of a playlist corresponding to the genre “jazz”.

  In some instances, the speech input may include two commands or phrases that are issued sequentially. The network microphone system may recognize that two commands issued sequentially may be related. The first command may include a first variable type, and the second command may include a subset of the first variable type. For example, the user may provide a voice input of "play some romantic music" followed by "play something romantic". There may be a time of interruption between the two commands. System 500 may have an age of classical music associated with instances of classical in music variables. System 500 may recognize that "romantic" refers to the romantic era in classical music, and does not command this command to play a song with a romantic atmosphere, but rather the romantic era It may be processed as a command to command playback of a song. As another example, the user may "play some * NSync" followed by a short pause, then "play No Strings Attached" You may speak. The system 500 may recognize that “No Strings Attached” is an album by an artist named In Sync (* NSync), and “No Strings Attached by another artist”. You may play this album instead of the album named "No Strings Attached".

  In some instances, the command may include a system name variable for the name of the media playback system. The media playback system may be associated with a media playback system manufacturer's name (eg, SONOS®), a custom name, and / or another name as an example. The voice input may include the name of a system to identify a particular system associated with the user account executing the command or intent. In some cases, at block 1216, the presence of the media playback system name variable in the voice command may be used to automatically identify that voice input is within the scope of music control.

  At block 1220, the media playback system may execute the music control voice command by executing each of the analyzed commands and variables. The media playback system may receive search results from the network microphone system and / or one or more media playback system commands. Media playback system commands and / or media information (eg, search results) may be received by the media playback system from the network microphone system in the form of one or more messages. Based on the search results, the media playback system (eg, computing device 506, control device 522, and / or playback devices 532, 534, 536, 538) responds to the voice command with the media content to be played or the queue to be played. You may decide. When receiving search results in addition to raw text-to-speech conversion, various techniques may be used to determine what to play in response to speech commands.

  In some aspects, the media playback system may weight different search results based on various data points and / or preferences. For example, the weights for different search results are stored in the degree of interest, the user's playback history, the music service associated with the user account, the music service available in the media playback system, and the storage associated with the media playback system It may be based on either music and / or user preference. As an example, songs by different artists may have the same song name. If the search results return a song with the same song name by a different artist, it may be more weighted and / or selected for a song of higher interest. The interest of a song may be determined based on various sources such as the user's number of plays, radio views, music chart rankings, number of sales, and / or other available data. As another example, more weight may be placed on media items recently played by the user.

  In some examples, the user may specify for media variables the priority of media items to be selected. For example, the user may specify that custom playlists have the highest priority, followed by radio stations, selected playlists, tracks, albums, artists, and so on. The system may assign more weight to media variable types with higher priority based on user preference. User preferences may be stored in the user profile and / or otherwise associated with the user account so that it can be transmitted to the network microphone system and / or media playback system. Some media variable types may be given equal priority or weight.

  In some instances, default prioritization may be used if the user has not provided user preference. The system may use any combination of priorities for different media variable types. For example, the system may prioritize media content corresponding to artist and track following an album prior to conversion results corresponding to raw text.

  As another example, an instance of a media variable may be the name of an artist, which may correspond to playlists and radio stations. For instances of media variables, radio station playback may be prioritized over playlist playback.

  As yet another example, the media playback system may exclude search results associated with music services not accessed by the user and / or the media playback system. After excluding search results without access history, the media playback system may select media content to play based on various methods or techniques described herein.

  The selection methods described herein are exemplary and other examples of methods or techniques for selecting media items to play in response to a "play" command may be employed.

  Upon selecting content to play in response to receiving a "play" command or intent, the media playback system uses the identifier and / or other identifying information provided by the search results to source the content. May be identified. This identifier may be a network address or link that obtains the corresponding content by the media playback system, examples being a network storage location or uniform resource locator (URL) and / or metadata (eg artist name, Album names, track numbers, radio station names, playlist names, media service names, etc.

  In some examples, the command or intent may be a transport command (eg, pause, play after pause, skip, return to the previous song, rewind, fast forward, etc.). As described above, system 500 may determine a media playback system command corresponding to the command or intent and execute the corresponding media playback system command. The network microphone system includes command information for identifying a command corresponding to the intent (for example, playback, pause, etc.), an associated object of the command (for example, a variable such as a zone name, a zone identifier, a group identifier, The media playback system can execute this command by transmitting a message including the media identifier and the like to the media playback system. For example, the transport command may include an instance of a zone variable (eg, nick's room, kitchen, or other identifier for that zone) for the zone in which the command is to be performed.

  In response to taking action on the PBD based on voice input, the media playback system may update and / or store state information regarding the action performed by the PBD. For example, the PBD may indicate that the zone or particular playback device is currently playing a particular media item, and / or that the particular media item has been added to a queue stored in the PBD, etc. State variables may be updated to indicate the state. This state variable may be accessed by any device in system 500 to allow seamless playback and / or control from various devices in system 500.

  Although the methods and systems are described herein in the context of media content (eg, music content, video content), the methods and systems described herein can be associated audio that can be played back by a media playback system It may be applied to various contents that can be possessed. For example, pre-recorded audio that may not be part of a music catalog may be played back in response to audio input. One example is the voice input "How does Nightingale sound?" The response of the network microphone system to this voice input may not be music content with an identifier, but instead may be a short audio clip. The media playback system may receive information associated with the playback of a short audio clip (e.g., storage address, link, URL, file) and media playback system commands for playing the short audio clip. Other examples are also possible, including podcasts, news clips, notification sounds, alarms, etc.

V. Exemplary Systems, Devices, and Methods for User Identity-Based Actions The embodiments described herein provide that a media playback system (or possibly one or more components thereof) receive a voice command. And determining, based on the user identification (or at least based on the user issuing the voice command), an appropriate action to be performed by the media playback system. In some examples, the media playback system may comprise one or more of PBDs 532 534 536 538 and a computing device 506 (configured as a media playback system server). In some embodiments, the media playback system comprises or includes a network microphone system comprising one or more of the NMDs 512, 514, 516 and a computing device 504 (configured as a network microphone system server). It may communicate.

  It is generally understood that one or more of the functions described herein may be performed by the network microphone system alone or in conjunction with a media playback system. It is further understood that one or more functions performed by computing device 506 may be performed by one or more of CR 522 and / or PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 of the media playback system.

  As noted above, examples of voice commands include commands that direct control of any of the media playback system controls described above. For example, the voice command may be a command that instructs the media playback system to play media content via one or more playback devices of the media playback system. In another example, the voice command may be a command to trigger a time frame or window for receiving an additional voice command associated with the first voice command. In yet another example, the voice command may be a command to change the playback settings of one or more media playback devices in the media playback system. The playback settings may mainly include, for example, playback volume, playback transport control, music source selection, and grouping.

  Examples of media content may include talk radio, books, audio from a television, music stored on a local drive, or music from a media source. Examples of media sources may include Pandora (R) Radio, Spotify (R), Slacker (R), Radio, Google Play (TM), iTunes Radio, and the like.

  Examples of user identification may include identifying the user as a registered user, a guest user, a child, or an unknown user.

  Exemplary registered users include one or more users linked or associated with the media playback system primarily through user profiles and / or voice configuration settings and the like. An exemplary user profile includes the user's age, location information, preference playback settings, preference playlists, preference audio content, and information on access restrictions set for the user, as well as the user's voice, user history The identification information may be mainly included. Exemplary information identifying the user's voice includes primarily the user's voice tone or frequency, age, gender, user history, and the like. An exemplary voice configuration setting may include a setting that requests the user to provide a voice input or a series of voice inputs for the media playback system to recognize the user and associate it.

  An exemplary guest user is linked or associated with the media playback system by the registered user's user profile or by a guest profile created by the registered user or created by the guest user with the permission of the registered user 1 Or include multiple users. An exemplary guest profile can include any type of information contained in a user profile.

  In some examples, a guest who owns his own media playback system at home may store a user profile associated with his own media playback system in computing device 506. When a guest arrives at the host's home and tries to control the host-owned media playback system using voice commands, the computing device 506 connected to the host's playback system (i) that guest has a user account (I) the guest's music service, (ii) the guest's playlist, (iii) whether the host has granted the guest access to control the host's media playback system, and / or ( iv) You may be able to access the guest's user profile settings, including, but not limited to, other user information etc., possibly within the guest's user profile.

  Identify the child's user, for example if the child is one of the registered users of the media playback system, by the information in the user profile, the information in the guest profile, and / or the tone or frequency of the user's voice May be

  In some examples, receiving the voice command may be via the media playback system via one or more of the PBDs 532 534 536 538 and / or the computing device 506 (configured as a media playback system server) Including receiving an audio command. The computing device 506 may translate the voice command into an equivalent text command and parse the text command to identify the command.

  In yet another example, one or more functions may be performed by the network microphone system alone or in conjunction with the media playback system. For example, receiving the voice command may cause the network microphone system to receive the voice command via one or more of the NMDs 512, 514, or 516, the computing device 506 and / or the voice command for further processing. Or transmitting to one or more of PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538. The computing device 506 may translate the voice command into an equivalent text command and parse the text command to identify the command. In some cases, the network microphone system converts voice commands into equivalent text commands and sends the text commands to one or more of computing devices 506 and / or PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 for analysis. , And may identify a command.

  One or more of computing device 506 and / or PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 may also determine whether they have received the voice command from the registered user of the media playback system after receiving the voice command. Good. In some examples, determining whether a voice command has been received from a registered user may include whether the user profile associated with the voice command is stored in the media playback system and / or the computing device 506 and / or One or more of PBDs 532 534 536 538 may include determining. For example, one or more of computing device 506 and / or PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 match voice commands with information identifying the user's voice which may be included in a user profile stored in the media playback system. You may try. The network microphone system, alone or in conjunction with the media playback system, may communicate with the computing device 506 to determine whether an audio command has been received from a registered user of the media playback system.

  In yet another example, determining whether a voice command has been received from a registered user may include determining whether the voice input in the voice configuration settings of the media playback system and the voice command match. One or more of PBDs 532 534 536 538 may also include determining. For example, the user pre-configures the media playback system to recognize the user's voice by providing the voice input or a series of voice inputs for the media playback system to recognize the user and associate it. May be Voice input or a series of voice inputs may be stored on one or more of computing device 506 and / or PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538. In some embodiments, the voice input or series of voice inputs may be stored in a network microphone system.

  In yet another example, determining whether a voice command has been received from a registered user may be performed by one or more of computing device 506, CR 522, and / or PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 alone or in combination. In combination, determining may include determining a confidence level associated with the received voice command. The confidence level may be determined based on the user history and location information individually or in combination with any other information that can typically be identified in the user profile.

  For example, the media playback system may receive a first voice command from a registered user at the kitchen and determine the confidence level based on the received voice command. The media playback system may receive the first voice command from any one or more of NMDs 512-513, CR 522, and PBDs 532-538. In addition, the media playback system may receive the same voice command from a registered user in another room of the user's home, and may determine the confidence level based on the received voice command. The media playback system may receive a second voice command from any one or more of NMDs 512-513, CR 522, and PBDs 532-538. The media playback system may then determine the new confidence level based on commands received from different computing devices (eg, CR 522), NMDs, and / or PBDs throughout the user's home. This allows for a higher confidence level in the media playback system to indicate that a voice command has been received from a registered user.

  In other cases, the media playback system may receive voice commands from the registered user and may determine the confidence level based on the user history. In operation, the media playback system may receive voice commands from any one or more of NMDs 512-513, CR 522, and PBDs 532-538. The computing device 506 if, after receiving the voice command, the received voice command includes information normally associated with the registered user, such as artist, playlist, genre, or any other information that can be identified in the user profile. One or more of CR 522 and / or PBDs 532 534 536 538 may be used alone or in combination to determine higher confidence levels. For example, if a Registered User is listening to Michael Jackson songs normally, a higher confidence indicating that Michael Jackson has received a voice command from the Registered User instructing it to play "Thriller". Sex levels can be obtained in the media playback system. Many other examples similar to but different from the above are possible.

  In yet another case, the media playback system may build a confidence level based on patterns of voice commands of registered users that can be verified in the user profile. For example, the media playback system may receive a command from the registered user instructing playback of a particular song by Britney Spears, and may determine the confidence level based on the received voice command. The media playback system may build a higher confidence level each time the media playback system receives the same voice command, or a similar voice command, such as a command to command another song to be played by Britney Spears, for example. Thus, a higher confidence level can be obtained indicating that the voice command has been received from the registered user.

  As mentioned above, it is understood that one or more of the functions described herein may typically be performed by the network microphone system alone or in conjunction with a media playback system. One or more functions to be performed by computing device 506, one or more of CR 522 and / or PBD 532, 534, 536, 538 of the media playback system, and / or one or more of NMD 512, 514, 516 as the case may be. It is further understood that may be performed by

  In some instances, determining the confidence level may be determined by the media playback system being one of the computing device 506 (configured as a media playback system server), CR 522, and / or PBD 532 534 536 538 or A plurality includes determining reliability levels either alone or in combination with each other. For example, CR 522 and / or one or more of PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 (i) determine the confidence level associated with the received voice command, and (ii) to the determined confidence level Based on the determination that the voice command has been received from the registered user, and (iii) an instruction instructing execution of the voice command may be sent to the computing device 506 (configured as a media playback system server) . In other cases, CR 522 and / or one or more of PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 determine (i) the confidence level associated with the received voice command, and (ii) that confidence Data associated with the sex level may be sent to the computing device 506 for further processing. The computing device 506 then determines (i) that the voice command has been received from the registered user based on the determined confidence level, and (ii) instructs CR522 to command the execution of the voice command, and And / or may be transmitted to one or more of the PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538.

  In yet another example, determining the confidence level includes determining the confidence level by the media playback system alone or with the network microphone system. For example, the media playback system may receive voice commands via one or more of the media playback system CR 522 and / or PBDs 532 534 536 538 and / or possibly one or more NMDs 512 516 516. May be In response to the received voice command, the media playback system may transmit data associated with the confidence level to one or more of the NMDs 512, 514, 516. The network microphone may then (i) determine the confidence level associated with the received data, and (ii) execute the command or send an indication to command execution of the command to the media playback system. In response to determining that the voice command has been received from the registered user, the computing device 506 may configure an indication for one or more PBDs of the media playback system. This instruction may be based on the content of the voice command and the information in the user profile of the registered user. Additionally or alternatively, this indication is based on the content of the voice command and voice configuration settings stored in the computing device 506, one or more of PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538, or a network microphone system. May be

  In some examples, the content of the voice command may include a command that instructs one or more PBDs of the media playback system to play the media content. In some embodiments, based on the command instructing the media playback system to play the media content and the information in the registered user's user profile, the computing device 506 may select one or more of the PBD's preferred media for the registered user. It may constitute an instruction or a set of instructions to get media content from the source.

  In another example, based on the command instructing the media playback system to play the media content and the information in the registered user's user profile, the computing device 506 may send the media playback system one or more PBDs of the media playback system. An instruction to play back the media content may be configured. For example, computing device 506 may (i) configure the media playback system with one or more of the registered user's preferred playback settings, and (ii) use one or more of the registered user preferred playback settings. The PBD may have an instruction to play media content.

  The preference reproduction setting may be a preference reproduction setting stored in the user profile of the registered user. Additionally or alternatively, the preferred playback settings may be based on user history stored in the registered user's user profile. The user history may include playback settings that the user typically or previously used to play media content.

  In yet another example, the content of the voice command may include a command instructing the media playback system to play the media content, but may not specify a particular playback zone of the media playback system. Based on the content of the command and the information in the registered user's user profile, such as the user history, the computing device 506 may (i) send to the media playback system one or more PBDs within a particular playback zone of the media playback system. , And (ii) execute instructions configured to play the media content via the one or more PBDs.

  In yet another example, the content of the voice command may include a command instructing the media playback system to change the playback settings. Based on the command instructing the media playback system to change the playback settings and the information in the registered user's user profile, the computing device 506 may (i) play back the playback settings of one or more PBDs in the media playback system. And (ii) execute instructions configured to change playback settings via one or more PBDs.

  Yet another example may include determining whether the media playback system has received a voice command from a child. For example, computing device 506 may distinguish between adults and children based on information in the user profile if the child is one of the registered users of the media playback system. In other cases, computing device 506 may distinguish between adults and children based on the tone or frequency of the user's voice.

  In still other cases, it may be determined whether a voice command has been received from the child by one or more of computing device 506, CR 522, and / or PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 (alone or together) May include determining a confidence level associated with the received voice command. As discussed above, the confidence level may be determined based on the user history and location information individually or in combination with any other information that can typically be identified in the user profile.

  In an exemplary operation, the media playback system may receive voice commands from an NMD or PBD located in a particular room (eg, a child's bedroom, play room, basement, etc.) where children are likely to be present . Having received a voice command from a device (NMD or PBD) installed in a room likely to have children, a higher confidence level can be obtained in the media playback system indicating that the voice command has been received from the child .

  In another example, the media playback system may receive an audio command for a particular type of content and, based on the type of content, also determine a higher confidence level indicating that an audio command has been received from a child. Good. For example, if the media playback system receives a voice command instructing to play an animation program or movie movie soundtrack, a higher reliability level can be obtained in the media playback system indicating that the voice command has been received from the child. . Many other examples similar to but different from the above are possible.

  In response to determining that a voice command has been received from a child, some examples may prohibit the playback of a given media that may be inappropriate for a child to one or more PBDs. May be included. In some cases, based on the content of the child's voice command, the computing device 506 and / or one or more PBDs may be prohibited from changing the playback settings. For example, computing device 506 and / or one or more PBDs may ignore children's voice commands that command the volume up of one or more PBDs.

  In some cases, the media playback system may operate based on determining whether the voice command is from a guest user rather than a registered user of the media playback system. For example, computing device 506 may store a previously created guest profile that may be associated with a particular guest. In another example, the computing device 506 may determine that a voice command has not been received from a registered user, and then may ask the registered user if the voice command is from a guest. The registered user may then be prohibited from performing all or part of the content of the voice command on the computing device 506 and / or one or more PBDs, as desired.

  In yet another example, determining whether a voice command has been received from a guest user may be performed by one or more of computing device 506, CR 522, and / or PBDs 532 534 536 538 B) determining the level of confidence associated with the received voice command. As discussed above, the confidence level may be determined based on the user history and location information individually or in combination with any other information that can typically be identified in the user profile.

  In response to determining that the voice command has been received from the guest user, the computing device 506 (1) assigns restriction settings to the guest user, and (2) the contents of the voice command and the guest user Based on the assigned restriction settings, instructions for one or more PBDs may be configured and (3) transmitted to one or more PBDs to cause the instructions to be performed. In one example, assigning restriction settings to a guest user may cause computing device 506 to match voice commands with a particular guest profile stored in computing device 506 and / or one or more PBDs. May be included. The guest profile may include restricted settings and information about the voice of a particular guest user, such as the frequency or tone of the voice of the guest primarily among the information described above. The restriction setting may be any setting that restricts control of the media playback system.

  Yet another example includes the media playback system determining priorities to resolve conflicts of voice commands received from different users. The competing voice commands may be, for example, a voice command instructing playback of a song received from one user and a subsequent voice command instructing suspension of playback of the song received from another user. Other examples are possible, such as a voice command to command to increase the volume of one or more PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 received from one user, and a subsequent voice command to command to decrease the volume received from another user It is.

  Specifically, the media playback system plays the song in the playback zone from the registered user or host (via one or more of NMD 512-516, CR 522, PBD 532-538, and / or computing device 506) It may receive a voice command to be commanded. The media playback system may then receive conflicting voice commands from the unregistered user or guest instructing it to stop playing the song in the playback zone. To resolve this conflict, the media playback system may apply a priority such that voice commands received from registered users have higher priority than unregistered users or guests.

  In another example, the media playback system may assign a priority such that voice commands received from registered guests have a higher priority than unregistered guests. In some cases, voice commands received from one registered guest may have a higher priority than another registered guest. Additionally or alternatively, voice commands received from adults may have higher priority than children.

  In yet another example, a controller issue command received by the media playback system (e.g., a command issued by a CR 522 or another computing device configured to control the media playback system) has a lower priority than registered users. It may have a degree, but may have a higher priority than unregistered users or guests. In some cases, some registered guests may have higher priority than controller issue commands. Other examples of priority determination and assignment are also possible.

  The media playback system may also operate upon receiving an activation word or activation phrase associated with a registered user. The activation word or activation phrase may include a specific word or phrase (e.g., "Hey, Sonos") stored in the registered user's profile. In some cases, users may configure the media playback system for different activation words or activation phrases, respectively. In other cases, the media playback system may be configured with the same activation word or activation phrase for all (or any) users.

  In some instances, the registered user may have a time window or window for the media playback system to receive additional voice commands associated with the activation word or activation phrase from the registered user, guest, and / or unregistered user. May trigger a common activation word or activation phrase. For example, a registered user or host may send a voice command (eg, “Hey Sonos, add a song to a playback queue”) to command the addition of a song to the playback queue, thereby causing the playback queue to Additional voice commands (eg, "Add Thriller by Michael Jackson") can be sent by the registered user to send a specific song (eg, 5 minutes). In another example, the registered user or host may have other functions in a user-defined or default time frame or time window, or in a specific time zone (e.g. Open for 4 hours from now (Hey Sonos, open con "Hey Sonos open management of home system from now until 2 pm on Saturday (Hey Sonos, open control for my house system from now until Saturday at 2pm)" A voice command (for example, “Hey Sonos,” for example) that allows all guests at home to send a voice command that mainly instructs to add a song to a playback queue, play a song, or change the volume etc. You may open the management of the home system (Hey Sonos, open control for my house system), and in some cases, the registered user or host may Voices that allow the transmission of voice commands to control one or more PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 and / or computing devices 506 in a certain time frame or time window to only some guests The command (eg, "Hey Sonos, restricting the administrator of the living to authorized guests") may be transmitted.

  In another example, the registered user launches differently for each voice command that triggers the time slot or window for the media playback system to receive additional voice commands associated with the wake-up word or launch phrase. It may have a word or activation phrase. For example, a registered user or host may use a user-specific activation word or activation phrase to send a voice command to command the addition of a song to the playback queue (e.g. "Hey Sonos, add a song to the playback queue", "Dee Sonos, add songs to the queue (Yo, Sonos, queue songs)" and "Alpha songs queue, etc." and may have control of the media playback system at home A user-specific activation word or activation phrase (eg, “Hey Sonos, open access”) and “It's party time” to allow guests in the room (eg, Hey Sonos, open access) Etc.) may be provided.

  In yet another example, a registered user or host may be user specific to send voice commands that allow limited control of the media playback system during certain time frames or windows of particular guests at home. Alternatively, it may have a common activation word or activation phrase. "Manufacturer's System, Method, Apparatus, and Products for Providing Crowdsource Playlists by Guest Access (Systems, Methods, Apparatus, and Articles of Manufacture, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) In U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0346859, entitled "Provide to Crowd-Sourced Playlist with Guest Access," several examples of limited control of media playback systems are provided in more detail.

  In yet another example, a registered user or host may send a voice command allowing a registered guest at home to freely or limitedly control the media playback system in a certain time frame or window. , And may have a user-specific or common activation word or activation phrase, while prohibiting control by an unregistered guest. In some cases, the registered user or host may be user specific to send voice commands that allow the adult user at home to freely or limitedly control the media playback system in a certain time frame or window. Alternatively, it may have a common activation word or activation phrase, while the child control may be prohibited. Many other examples similar to but different from the above are possible.

  In some cases, a registered user or host may specify a time frame or window for the media playback system to receive additional voice commands. For example, a registered user or host may allow a guest to transmit within a specified time frame (e.g., one hour) a voice command (e.g., "Hey Sonos, Home") that specifies additional voice commands to control the media playback system. You may open the management of the system for one hour (Hey, Sonos, open control for my house system for one hour). Many other examples similar to but different from the above are possible.

  In yet another case, the registered user or host may close or release the time window or window for receiving additional voice commands associated with the initial activation word or activation phrase. For example, if the registered user or host issues a voice command using an activation word or activation phrase that opens a time frame or window for receiving an additional voice command for one hour, the registered user or host Another voice command (for example, “Hey Sonos, adding songs to the queue is complete (Hey Sonos, queue songs complete) ") may be sent. Many other examples similar to but different from the above are possible.

  Yet another example may include the media playback system operating upon receipt of an activation word or activation phrase associated with a registered user. The registered guest user may store the activation word or activation phrase in the guest profile. In response to determining that the activation word or activation phrase has been received from the guest user, the media playback system determines (i) whether there is a restriction setting associated with the guest user, (ii) the activation word or Based on the activation phrase and the restriction settings assigned to the guest user, configure instructions for one or more PBDs, and (iii) send to one or more PBDs to execute the instructions. (E.g., this opens up a time frame or window for receiving additional voice commands associated with the activation word command).

  In some cases, the media playback system may refrain from acting upon receipt of an activation word or activation phrase from a registered guest user, and in this example, the media reproduction system may activate activation words from a registered user or host Alternatively, there may be a case where a voice command including an activation phrase has already been received, or a time frame or time window for receiving an additional command has not expired.

  In yet another case, the media playback system operates upon receipt of the activation word or activation phrase from the registered guest user, and then adding if the media reproduction device receives an audio command from the registered user or host. The time frame or window for receiving the voice command may then be closed or released. In some embodiments, the registered guest may close or cancel before the expiration of the time frame or time window expires. In another embodiment, if the registered guest is a child, the adult may close or cancel it before the time frame or time window expires. Many other examples similar to but different from the above are possible.

  After configuring the indication to the media playback system, some examples may include transmitting the indication to one or more PBDs of the media playback system to cause the indication to be performed. In some examples, the media playback system may send the indication to the computing device 506. In another example, the media playback system may send the indication to the network microphone system.

  The method 1400 shown in FIG. 14 may be, for example, the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, one or more playback devices 200 of FIG. 2, one or more control devices 300 of FIG. 3, a user interface of FIG. An embodiment of a method that can be implemented within an operating environment including or including the configuration shown in FIG. Method 1400 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions, as illustrated by one or more of blocks 1402-1406.

  The method 1400 starts at block 1402, which includes receiving a voice command for a media playback system. In some embodiments, receiving the voice command may cause the media playback system to include one or more of PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538, and / or computing device 506 (configured as a media playback system server). Including receiving voice commands through. In one example, computing device 506 may translate the voice command into an equivalent text command and parse the text command to identify the command.

  In one example, one or more functions may be performed by the network microphone system alone or in conjunction with the media playback system. In some embodiments, receiving the voice command causes the network microphone system to receive the voice command via one or more of the NMDs 512, 514, or 516, computing the voice command for further processing. Transmitting to device 506 and / or one or more of PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538. In another example, one or more of computing device 506 and / or PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 convert voice commands into equivalent text commands and parse the text commands to identify the commands. It is also good. In yet another example, the network microphone system converts voice commands into equivalent text commands and sends the text commands to one or more of computing devices 506 and / or PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 for analysis. And may identify the command.

  The method 1400 then proceeds to block 1404, which includes determining whether a voice command has been received from a registered user of the media playback system. In some examples, determining whether a voice command has been received from a registered user, the computing device 506 determines whether a user profile associated with the voice command is stored in the media playback system. May be included. For example, computing device 506 may attempt to match the voice command to information identifying the user's voice in the user profile.

  In another example, determining whether a voice command has been received from a registered user includes determining whether the voice command matches a voice input stored in the media playback system's voice configuration settings. It may be. For example, the user pre-configures the media playback system to recognize the user's voice by providing the voice input or a series of voice inputs for the media playback system to recognize the user and associate it. May be Voice configuration settings may be stored on one or more of computing device 506 and / or PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538. Alternatively, computing device 506 may communicate with a network microphone system to store voice configuration settings.

  In yet another example, determining whether a voice command has been received from a registered user may include determining a confidence level associated with the received voice command. This level may be a confidence level associated with the person who issued the command, such as, for example, a confidence level that normally indicates that the command has been received from a registered user, a particular registered user of the command Reliability level indicating that the command was received, reliability level indicating that the command was received from other than the registered user, reliability level indicating that the command was received from the registered guest, and that the command was received from the child There may be a confidence level indicated, and / or a confidence level indicating that the command has been received from a particular child. This level may be a confidence level associated with the content of the request, for which, for example, the request is a request to regenerate "AC / DC" rather than "Hayseed Dixie". Confidence levels can be mentioned as an example (these are two quite different bands with very similar sounding names). This confidence level may be determined based on the user history and location information individually or in combination with any other information that can typically be identified in the user profile. During operation, the determination of the confidence level may be performed by any one or more of CR 522, PBD 532-538, NMDs 512-516, and / or computing devices 504-508 alone or in combination thereof .

  In an exemplary operation, the media playback system may receive a voice command from a registered user at the kitchen and determine the confidence level based on the received voice command. The media playback device may receive voice commands from any one or more of CR 522, NMDs 512-516, and / or PBDs 532-538. The media playback system may then receive the same voice command from a registered user in another room in the user's home and may determine the confidence level based on the received voice command. The media playback system may then determine a new confidence level based on commands received from different devices in different rooms throughout the user's home based at least in part on the room that received the voice command. This allows for a higher confidence level in the media playback system to indicate that a voice command has been received from a registered user.

  In another example, the media playback system may receive a voice command from a registered user, and may determine the confidence level based on the user history. Specifically, if the media playback system includes information that is normally associated with the registered user, such as when the received voice command includes an artist, playlist, genre, or any other information that can be identified in the user profile, High confidence levels may be determined. For example, if the registered user is typically listening to Michael Jackson's song, a higher confidence level may indicate that a voice command has been received from the registered user instructing "Play Thriller." , Media playback system. Similarly, if the registered user is usually listening to a Michael Jackson song or a 1980s song, the voice command to order "Play Thriller" is a band called Fall Out Boy. A higher reliability level can be obtained in the media playback system to indicate that it is not the song "Thriller" according to but the command to command the playback of the song "Thriller" by the artist Michael Jackson. Many other examples similar to but different from the above are possible.

  In yet another example, the media playback system may build a confidence level based on patterns of voice commands of registered users that can be verified in a user profile. For example, the media playback system may receive a command from the registered user instructing playback of a particular song by Britney Spears, and may determine the confidence level based on the received voice command. The media playback system may build a higher confidence level each time the media playback system receives the same voice command, or a similar voice command, such as a command to command another song to be played by Britney Spears, for example. And a higher confidence level can be obtained which indicates that the voice command has been received from the registered user.

  Finally, in response to determining that the voice command has been received from the registered user, method 1400 constructs an indication to the media playback system based on the content of the voice command and the information in the registered user's user profile. Proceed to block 1406, which contains the

  In some examples, the content of the voice command may include a command that instructs one or more PBDs of the media playback system to play the media content. In some cases, based on the commands instructing the one or more PBDs to play the media content and the information in the registered user's user profile, the computing device 506 sends media from the preferred media source of the registered user to the media playback system. Alternatively, an instruction to obtain audio content may be configured.

  In yet another case, based on the command instructing the media playback system to play the media content and the information in the registered user's user profile, the media playback system may send the media playback system one or more PBDs of the media playback system. May be configured to play back media content. Specifically, the computing device 506 configures the media playback system using (i) one or more of the registered user's preferred playback settings, and (ii) using the registered user's preferred playback settings, Instructions may be included to cause the media content to be played back by one or more PBDs of the media playback system. The preference reproduction setting may be a preference reproduction setting stored in the user profile of the registered user. Additionally or alternatively, the preferred playback settings may be based on user history stored in the registered user's user profile. The user history may include playback settings that the user typically or previously used to play media content.

  In some cases, the content of the voice command may include a command to command one or more PBDs of the media playback system to play the media content, but does not specify a particular listening zone or playback zone of the media playback system. There is. Based on the content of the command and information in the registered user's user profile, such as the user history, the computing device 506 may send to the media playback system via one or more media playback devices within a particular playback zone of the media playback system. May constitute a set of instructions or instructions for playing the media content.

  In other cases, the content of the voice command may include a command instructing the media playback system to change the playback settings. Based on the command instructing the media playback system to change the playback settings and the information in the registered user's user profile, the computing device 506 may (i) (i) play back the playback settings of one or more PBDs in the media playback system. And / or (ii) execute a set of instructions or instructions configured to change playback settings via one or more PBDs.

  Yet another example may include determining whether the media playback system has received a voice command from a child. For example, computing device 506 may distinguish between adults and children based on information in the user profile if the child is one of the registered users of the media playback system. In another example, computing device 506 may distinguish between adults and children based on the tone or frequency of the user's voice.

  In yet another example, determining whether a voice command has been received from a child may include determining a confidence level associated with the received voice command. As discussed above, the confidence level may be determined based on the user history and location information individually or in combination with any other information that can typically be identified in the user profile.

  In some cases, the media playback system may have a device (eg, either NMD 512-516 or PBD 532-538) in a particular room (eg, a child's bedroom, play room, basement, etc.) where children are likely to be present. Voice commands may be received via Having received this voice command from a device installed in a room that is likely to have a child, a higher confidence level can be obtained in the media playback system indicating that this command has been received from the child.

  In yet another case, the media playback system may receive a voice command and, based on the content of the voice command, determine a confidence level indicating that the voice command has been received from a child. For example, if the media playback system receives a voice command instructing to play an animation program or movie movie soundtrack, a higher reliability level can be obtained in the media playback system indicating that the voice command has been received from the child. . Many other examples similar to but different from the above are possible.

  In response to determining that a voice command has been received from the child, some examples may play the given media, which may be inappropriate for the child, to one or more PBDs of the media playback system. It may include prohibition. Some examples may include prohibiting the computing device 506 and / or one or more PBDs from changing the playback settings based on the content of the verbal command of the child. For example, computing device 506 may ignore a child's voice command that instructs it to turn up the volume of one or more PBDs.

  Yet another alternative may include an action based on determining whether the voice command has been received from a guest user rather than a registered user of the media playback system. In some cases, computing device 506 may store a previously created guest profile that may be associated with a particular guest. In yet another case, the computing device 506 may determine that it has not received a voice command from the registered user and may then ask the registered user if the voice command is from a guest .

  Further, determining whether a voice command has been received from a guest user may include determining a confidence level associated with the received voice command by the media playback system. As discussed above, the confidence level may be determined based on the user history and location information individually or in combination with any other information that can typically be identified in the user profile.

  In response to determining that the voice command has been received from the guest user, the computing device 506 (1) assigns restriction settings to the guest user, and (2) the contents of the voice command and the guest user Based on the assigned restriction settings, instructions for one or more PBDs may be configured and (3) transmitted to one or more PBDs to cause the instructions to be performed. In some embodiments, assigning restriction settings to a guest user may include the computing device 506 collating voice commands with a particular guest profile stored on the computing device 506. .

  Yet another example may include the media playback system applying a priority to resolve conflicts of voice commands received from different users. The competing voice commands may be, for example, a voice command instructing playback of a song received from one user and a subsequent voice command instructing suspension of playback of the song received from another user. A voice command instructing to increase the volume of one or more playback devices (for example, PBD 532, 534, 536, 538) received from one user, and a subsequent voice command instructing to decrease the volume received from another user, etc. , Other examples are also possible. Specifically, the media playback system may receive an audio command from the registered user or host instructing the playback of the song in the playback zone. The media playback system may then receive conflicting voice commands from the unregistered user or guest instructing it to stop playing the song in the playback zone. To resolve this conflict, the media playback system may apply a priority such that voice commands received from registered users have higher priority than voice commands received from unregistered users or guests.

  In one example, the media playback system may assign a priority such that voice commands received from registered guests have higher priority than voice commands received from unregistered guests. For example, voice commands received from one registered guest may have a higher priority than another registered guest. In other cases, voice commands received from adults may have higher priority than children.

  In yet another case, a controller issue command received by the media playback system (e.g., a command received from a CR 522 or other computing device configured to control the media playback system, or in some cases computing) The command received from the device 506 may have lower priority than registered users, but may have higher priority than unregistered users or guests. In some embodiments, some registered guests may have higher priority than controller issue commands. Other examples of priority determination and assignment are also possible.

  After configuring the instructions for the media playback system, in some embodiments, it may be sent to one or more PBDs of the media playback system to cause the instructions to be performed. In some embodiments, computing device 506 may send instructions to a network microphone system.

  The method 1500 shown in FIG. 15 may be, for example, the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, one or more playback devices 200 of FIG. 2, one or more control devices 300 of FIG. 3, a user interface of FIG. An embodiment of a method that can be implemented within an operating environment including or including the configuration shown in FIG. Method 1500 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 1502-1506.

  Method 1500 begins at block 1502 with receiving an activation word or activation phrase associated with a voice command for a media playback system. As mentioned above, the activation word or activation phrase may be a specific word or phrase (e.g. "Hey Sonos") stored in the user profile. In some embodiments, the media playback system may receive a common activation word or activation phrase (eg, "Hey, Sonos") associated with the registered user's voice command. Additionally or alternatively, the media playback system may receive a common activation word or activation phrase associated with the registered guest user's voice command. In some cases, the media playback system may be configured such that registered users have different activation words or activation phrases.

  Specifically, registered users may have user-specific activation words or activation phrases for different voice commands. For example, the media playback system may use an activation word or activation phrase to add a song to the playback queue (eg, "Hey Sonos, add a song to the playback queue," "Hey Sonos, add a song to the queue , And “listen in alphabetical order” etc.), and a user-specific activation word or activation phrase (eg, “Hey Sonos, access to allow the guest at home to control the media playback system” "Open" and "It's Party Time" may be received respectively.

  The method 1500 then proceeds to block 1504, which includes determining whether an activation word associated with the voice command has been received from a registered user of the media playback system. In some embodiments, determining whether the activation word associated with the voice command has been received from the registered user determines whether the voice command has been received from the registered user as described in block 1404 of the method 1400. It may be the same as doing.

  Finally, in response to determining that the activation word associated with the voice command has been received from the registered user, the method 1500 receives the received activation word, the content of the voice command, and information in the registered user's user profile. And proceed to block 1506, which comprises configuring an indication to the media playback system.

  In some examples, the indication to the media playback system may be a time frame or other time for the media playback system to receive additional voice commands associated with activation words received from registered users, guests, and / or unregistered users. It may include an instruction instructing to open the time window. For example, an additional voice command (eg, "Michael Jackson") that commands the addition of a particular song to the playback queue in response to determining that an activation word for adding a song to the playback queue has been received from a registered user The media playback system may open a time frame (e.g., 5 minutes) in which the registered user can transmit "with the thriller".

  In another example, in response to determining that an activation word has been received from a registered user to allow control of the media playback system to all guests, the media playback system may be configured for all guests at home. A time frame (e.g., to allow transmission of voice commands, such as adding a song to a play queue, playing a song, or changing the volume, etc., in a user-defined or default time frame or window). You may open 1 hour).

  Method 1500 may then, responsive to determining that the activation word has been received from the registered user, based on the received activation word or activation phrase, the content of the voice command, and information in the registered user's user profile. Proceed to block 1506, which includes determining whether the activation word is associated with a restriction setting.

  In some examples, the media playback system may configure the indication based on the restriction settings in the registered user or registered guest user's user profile. The activation word received from the registered user may be associated with a specific guest restriction setting. For example, the registered user or host may send one or more PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 in the playback zone and / or additional voice commands to control the computing device 506 for a time frame or time window. Voice commands to allow registered guests at (for example, "Sorry, Sonos, restrict the living administrator to allowed guests") may be sent, while sending additional voice commands by unregistered guests May be prohibited. In other cases, the received activation word may be associated with a child restriction setting. Many other examples similar to but different from the above are possible, including but not limited to the examples described elsewhere herein.

  In yet another example, the activation word received from the registered user may be associated with a restriction setting that allows a particular guest to have limited control over the media playback system in a certain time frame or time window. "Manufacturer's System, Method, Apparatus, and Products for Providing Crowdsource Playlists by Guest Access (Systems, Methods, Apparatus, and Articles of Manufacture, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) In U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0346859, entitled "Provide to Crowd-Sourced Playlist with Guest Access," several examples of limited control of media playback systems are provided in more detail.

  In response to determining that the activation word or activation phrase has been received from the guest user, the media playback system determines (i) whether there is a restriction setting associated with the guest user, (ii) the activation word or Based on the activation phrase and the restriction settings assigned to the guest user, configure instructions for one or more PBDs, and (iii) send to one or more PBDs to execute the instructions. (E.g., this opens up a time frame or window for receiving additional voice commands associated with the activation word command).

  In some examples, the media playback system operates based on receipt of an activation word or activation phrase from a registered guest user via one or more PBDs 532, 534, 536, 538 and / or computing devices 506. In this example, the time period or time for the media playback system to have already received a voice command including the activation word or activation phrase from the registered user or host, or to receive an additional command. There are cases where the window has not expired.

  After configuring the instructions for the media playback system, some examples may include sending a command to one or more PBDs of the media playback system to cause the instructions to be performed. In some examples, computing device 506 may send a command or set of commands to one or more PBDs of the media playback system.

  In some cases, after configuring an indication instructing the media playback system to perform, the registered user or host closes or releases the time frame or window for receiving additional voice commands associated with the indication. May be For example, if the registered user or host sends a voice command using an activation word or activation phrase that opens a time window or window for receiving an additional voice command for one hour, the registered user or host may Send another voice command (for example, "Hey Sonos, the addition of songs to the queue is complete") to command that one hour window or window be released before the time window is over You may Many other examples similar to but different from the above are possible.

  Yet another example is that the media playback system is activated based on receipt of the activation word or activation phrase from the registered guest user, and then the media reproduction device receives an additional voice command from the registered user or host. It may then include closing or releasing the time frame or window for receiving the voice command. In some embodiments, the registered guest may close or cancel before the expiration of the time frame or time window expires. In another embodiment, if the registered guest is a child, the adult may close or cancel it before the time frame or time window expires. Many other examples similar to but different from the above are possible.

VI. Exemplary Systems, Devices, and Methods for Selection of Music Delivery Service The example described herein identifies an appropriate streaming service (eg, streaming audio tracks) based on a command, and On accessing.

  The methods 1600 and 1700 illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 may be implemented, for example, in an operating environment including the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, one or more of the playback devices 200 of FIG. 2, and one or more of the control devices 300 of FIG. An embodiment of a method that can be performed is presented. Methods 1600 and 1700 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 1602-1614 and 1702-1708.

  FIG. 16 is an exemplary flow diagram of a process for identifying a music service for streaming. At block 1602, the NMDs 512-516 or CR 522 may receive notification of a command instructing to provide audio content for playback from the streaming service. In some cases, the commands received by the NMDs 512-516 may be in the form of voice commands, while the commands received by the CR 522 may be text command input on the user interface.

  The commands received may typically include information regarding the type of one or more audio content. In some cases, the command may include an artist name, a song name, an album name, or a genre name (ie "play Led Zeppelin", "play 70's rock" "Such). Also, the command may be prefix and / or suffix type information indicating the content type in more detail (e.g. "best of ...", "... radio", and "... playlist") May be included. For example, the command "Play Led Zeppelin radio" may indicate the user's desire to listen to a particular artist's song in radio format. The received command may also include various other forms of information indicating the content type.

  Notifications regarding commands received at block 1602 may be processed in various manners. In one implementation, processing of commands may be performed via the cloud network 502. In such a case, voice commands received by the NMDs 512-516 may be sent via the communication network 546 to one or more of the computing devices 504-508 to process voice input. The cloud computing device may translate speech input into equivalent text commands and parse the text commands to identify the commands. In another configuration, the cloud computing device only translates the speech input into an equivalent text format, and sends the equivalent text to a second computing device for parsing and command identification. Good. In other cases, the NMDs 512 to 516 convert the speech input into text before sending it through the communication network 546, or convert the speech input into text and execute parsing for command identification. You may do both. When CR 522 receives a text command, text input may be sent to one of computing devices 504-508 via communication network 546 for parsing and command identification. In other cases, CR 522 may perform parsing of the text input to identify the command.

  In another implementation, processing of commands may be performed locally via a local network. In such cases, voice commands received by the NMDs 512-516 may cause them to be sent over the local network to one or more local computing devices to process voice input. The local computing device may translate speech input into equivalent text commands and parse the text commands to identify the commands. In another configuration, the local computing device only converts speech input into an equivalent text form, and sends the equivalent text form to a second local computing device for parsing and command identification. May be In other cases, the NMDs 512-16 either convert the speech input into text before sending it over the local network, or convert the speech input into text and perform parsing for command identification. Both may be done. If the CR 522 receives a text command, text input may be sent to the local computing device via the local network for parsing and command identification. In other cases, CR 522 may perform parsing of the text input to identify the command. There may be other configurations for processing commands.

  At block 1604, the computing device may identify the content type specified by the command. Content type identification may be performed locally via the cloud network 502 or a local network.

  In one implementation, the computing device may use content type logic to associate a command or portion of a command with the content type. Using the example of “Playing Red Zeppelin on Radio” above, the computing device may identify its content type as “artist or radio station”. In another example, the content type may be identified as a "genre" by the command "Play Electronic Dance Music". Similar identifications can be made for various other content types. For example, identification of content types may be accomplished by entering keywords in commands such as "dance music", or the database may map the keywords to notifications regarding content types such as genres. In some examples, the database may be on a computing device or a network microphone device.

  If it is determined at block 1608 that no content type has been identified, the method may immediately proceed to block 1614. Content types may not be identified for several reasons, such as user input errors, poor voice input quality, background noise, or simply not being able to identify such content types. For example, the content type of a command indicating an obscure artist name may not be identifiable.

  At block 1614, the computing device outputs a notification indicating "this content is not available" and sends it via communication network 546 to any or all of NMD 512-516, PBD 532-538, or CR 522. It is also good. A notification that there is no content available may then be presented to the user aurally or visually. For example, the NMD and PBD may output an audible notification, while enabling the CR to output both audible and visual notifications. Additionally or alternatively, sending this notification may cause the user to output a suggestion to re-enter the command. For example, the proposal may allow the user to specify some additional identifying characteristics to aid in the identification of the content type.

  However, if it is determined at block 1606 that the content type has been identified, then the method may proceed to block 1608 and identify a streaming service capable of playing the content type identified at block 1604. In general, individual streaming services can differ significantly from other streaming services, ranging from the presentation of audio content as well as the presentation of the content. For example, each streaming service may have a relatively exclusive right to stream music content of a particular artist or album. In other cases, while some streaming services such as Pandora® can only stream in the form of radio stations, other services such as Spotify® can be artists, songs, albums, or radios. On-demand music streaming delivery by stations may be possible. In light of this fact, it is clear that not all streaming services can stream the content type identified at 704.

  For example, the computing device may compare the metadata of the identified content type with a look-up table which may include entries of available content and the corresponding form of that content as provided for various streaming services. May identify an appropriate streaming service. In some cases, the computing device may send queries across available streaming services. In other cases, the computing device may query only a subset of available streaming services. Such subsets are based solely on each of several factors, including the streaming service that the user has registered, the number of days since the user last used the streaming service, the attention level of the streaming service, and user preferences. Alternatively, it may be selected by the computing device based on a combination of these. For example, if the user is only registered with Pandora (R), Spotify (R), and Deezer (R), the computing device queries only these streaming services to determine the appropriate service. May be

  Such look-up tables may be stored in memory of the computing device, or in an external location such as on a computing device or music service. If various look-up tables may be distributed between the various music services, the computing device may query each music service simultaneously or sequentially to detect matching services. Other ways of identifying the appropriate streaming service are possible.

  In one implementation, identifying the streaming service at block 1608 may further include determining currently available playback capacity at the streaming service that the user is registering. In general, some streaming services may limit the number of active streams available to a registered account at any given time. For example, Spotify® may only allow one active stream per registered account. For example, the computing device can query the service the user is registering for (i.e. how many active streams there are) and then compare that usage to the limited data capacity (i.e. Spotify Only one active stream may determine the currently available playback capacity. In another example, the streaming service may output binary values to indicate whether a stream is available in response to a query. The available regeneration capacity may be determined in other ways.

  In this implementation, the computing device identifies at block 1608 the service being registered as supporting the content type specified by the command, and there is no available stream for the service being registered. It may be determined that For example, if a user and his / her spouse both share a Spotify® account, and the music is being streamed to the spouse's smartphone device in the gym, the user sees “eye of When issuing the command "Play Eye of the Tiger", the computing device identifies Spotify® as capable of playing the song and at the same time the stream is unavailable. It may be determined that In such a case, the computing device may be made to identify another streaming service, such as Apple Music®, that can support the content type.

  In other cases, the computing device may not be able to identify another streaming service that can support that content type. This can occur primarily if, for example, the computing device considers only a subset of the streaming service, such as when a user requests content provided exclusively by one streaming service. In such a case, the computing device may be made to "stole" the currently active stream for use in providing content corresponding to the command. Using the example above, if none of the other streaming services can support "eye of the tiger", then cancel streaming to the spouse at Jim and provide it to yourself. Can.

  For example, if an available streaming service is identified as being able to support the content type identified in block 1610, the process may proceed to block 1612 to play audio content in any combination in PBDs 532-538. Good. The music service may be accessed by, for example, querying the service API for content and streaming the content. Directly from computing device 508, or from various other computing devices associated with the music streaming service, to PBD 532-538, as requested by either PBD 532-538 or computing devices 504-506, Audio content may be streamed. There are other ways to initiate and bring about the playback of streaming media content.

  In another case, if the streaming service identified in block 710 is not currently available (ie, the application is not installed and the user is not registered), the computing device uses the music service at 714 A notification may be output regarding proposing a series of actions to enable. This notification may be sent to any combination of NMD 512-516, PBD 532-538, or CR 522, and this may be audible and / or visual as indicating an identified music service that can support the content type in question. A suggestion may be made and / or instructions regarding how to register for the music service, how to download, or how to use it may be presented.

  FIG. 17 is another example flow diagram of an example process for identifying the music streaming service at blocks 1610 and 1612 of FIG. At block 1702, the computing device may cause the streaming service to determine a credibility metric or metrics based at least in part on the content type identified by the command. In general, the reliability metric may be a numeric value or percentage value (eg, 1-100) calculated for the streaming service or multiple streaming services. Such reliability metrics may reflect the possibility that selecting a particular music service to provide streaming audio results in providing the user with the desired content. For example, if higher numbers indicate higher confidence level conformance, then streaming services assigned an "80" reliability metric will provide more content than streaming services with a "45" reliability metric. May be suitable for

  The reliability metric calculated for the streaming service may be based on several criteria such as content type, playback capacity, usage history, external data and so on. Such criteria may be configured by various data types and may be obtained from various sources such as NMD, CR, PBD, computing devices, music services, and various external sources. This data may be aggregated and stored at a central location, such as a database associated with computing device 504 or 506, or in a distributed fashion.

  For example, the reliability metric may consider the suitability of streaming services that support the content type specified by the command. Determining the suitability of the various streaming services providing the content type, mapping metadata associated with the identified content type to a lookup table, or querying a table of various music services, matching fields It may include assigning values to numbers. As one example, the command specifying "play Jackson 5 playlist" may have a content type of "artist or playlist". In such a case, look-up tables in two streaming services such as Pandora® and Spotify® may both contain a reference to Jackson 5 in the artist field. However, because Pandora® does not support playlists of that content type, only Spotify® may include a playlist field that identifies Jackson 5. In such case, Pandora® is given a content type value of “2” and Spotify® is given a value of “1”.

  Additionally or alternatively, the strength of field matching may be employed. Using the previous example, the Spotify® service does not include the artist field corresponding to Jackson 5 but may be identified as a former member of Jackson 5 by the computing device using music metadata Assume that you have Michael Jackson's artist entry. In such a case, instead of being given a value of 0 in the artist field of the Spotify® service, this service may be given an adjustment value of less than one. Other forms are also possible in determining the content type suitability value of the streaming service.

  In other cases, reliability metrics may be calculated on portions of various forms of usage history data. Various historical data types may be obtained from various sources such as NMD, CR, PBD, computing devices, music services, and various external sources. This data may be aggregated and stored at a central location, such as a database associated with computing device 504 or 506, or in a distributed fashion.

  For example, usage data may indicate how often a user accesses a given streaming service. As another example, the usage data may be used to identify how many hours of a day, days of a week, and months of a year to which the user is typically using the service. It may contain base data. For example, a user may prefer to listen to iHeartRadio® in the morning and to listen to Tidal® at night. As another example, such usage data may indicate user preference for streaming services on a zone-by-zone basis in a multi-zone environment. For example, if a user accesses Spotify® in the bathroom zone with 90% probability and accesses Deezer® in the living area zone with 80% probability, then Spotify® and Deezer will be accessed. The reliability metrics corresponding to (registered trademark) may differ significantly depending on which zone the user is trying to stream audio. In such a case, Spotify® may be a much better option if the user wants to listen to music in the bathroom. Various other types of usage history data may be present as well.

  Also, some reliability metrics may be determined based on various "external" data types. Such data may include macro-type data that can mainly incorporate geographic location, demographic data, and the like. For example, such macro data may indicate that certain streaming services are not available and unpopular in some regions or regions of the world around the world, which causes credibility metrics to It may decrease. In such cases, the reliability metric of the streaming service may change depending on the geographical location. The type of "external" data may also include weather data, which may, for example, introduce certain user preferences, such as listening to Spotify® on the patio on a cool, dry summer evening. it can. In addition, calendar data may be taken into account as identifying holidays and music services that are usually streamed on such a particular day. Other forms of external data may also be present.

  Furthermore, various criteria may be combined to determine the reliability metric of a given streaming service. For example, one user may prefer to listen to a wide variety of classical music using Pandora (R) in the living room, but only in the bedroom using AppleMusic (R) to listen to the full album of their favorite artist May. In such cases, the content type (genre or artist) may be combined with the user's history of where the particular music service is used to determine the credibility metric of the particular music service. Many other combinations may exist.

  A computer implemented algorithm can map the above criteria to the streaming service reliability metric. For example, one or more criteria can be mapped to a table that outputs a reliability metric. In some embodiments, this algorithm may include weighting of various criteria such as content type, usage history, and / or "external data". The algorithm may assign different weights to the various criteria based on relative importance. For example, user preferences may be considered more influential, and may be weighted more than demographic data. Data weighting may be defined by the system or by user settings, or it may be dynamically adjustable based on user feedback. Each of the weighted data may be mapped to a table, for example, mapping them to reliability metrics and then combining them to form an aggregated reliability metric for the music service as a whole May be

  At block 1704, the computing device 504 or 506 may determine if the given streaming service meets the reliability condition. This reliability condition can be met in several ways. For example, if the reliability metric for a given streaming service exceeds a certain reliability level threshold, then that reliability condition may be met, which is the default system setting or by the user It may be adjustable. For example, if three reliability metrics are calculated as Service1 = 85, Service2 = 83, Service3 = 25, and the threshold reliability level is 80 (as described above in connection with block 1614) At 1706, Service 1 may be output for streaming or may be proposed to the user.

  In the other case, (1) the reliability metric calculated in the streaming service exceeds the threshold reliability level and (2) the two highest reliability metrics calculated are not within the threshold range of each other Only the reliability conditions can be met. For example, if the confidence level range is 3 in the case immediately above, then the confidence criteria will not be met due to the Service1 and Service2 confidence metrics. Various other rules may additionally or alternatively be cited for this reliability condition.

  If it is determined at block 1708 that the reliability condition is not met, an error condition may be triggered at block 1708 by either computing device 504 or 506. An error condition may trigger a specific event to occur, such as outputting a notification that the content is unavailable, as described in connection with 1616. In other cases, triggering an error condition may cause the content to be streamed via a default streaming service or a preferred partner service. In yet another case, this error condition causes the computing device to output an indication to one or all of NMDs 512-516, PBDs 532-538, or CR 522 to further information about the commands already received. Instructions or queries prompting for acquisition may be presented aurally or visually.

  For example, the user may be instructed to specify additional content types such as artist or album. For example, if the first command is "Play radio station", the user may be instructed to "Please specify genre".

  In other cases, the user may be prompted with a question or set of questions that facilitates the adjustment of the initial command, thereby facilitating the adjustment of the reliability metrics of the various streaming services. For example, if the first command targets a broad genre called "Electronic", do users prefer a particular sub-genre such as "Drum and Bass" or "Trance" You may be asked a question. Additionally or alternatively, the user may ask "What are you doing?" Or "feel like" to estimate which sub-genre the user wants to listen to You may be asked questions related to music such as 'How do you feel?' For example, if the user answers "Reading" and / or "Relaxed" to the above question, it may be inferred that the user wishes to listen to the sub-genre transformer. Various other examples are possible for queries.

  The user's response to the prompt or question may be in the form of voice input received by the NMD or text input via the graphical interface of the CR. This user response causes the process 1600 to be repeated, resulting in either the reliability condition being met or a separate error condition being triggered.

VII. Yet another exemplary feature (Feature 1) A method for a playback system comprising at least one playback device and a network device comprising a microphone device, wherein acoustic characteristics of a surrounding environment in which the playback device is installed are acquired Identifying a network microphone device within a peripheral environment of the playback device, providing the audio characteristic to the network microphone device, audio input by the network microphone device to the audio input by the network microphone device A method comprising the steps of applying a characteristic.

  (Feature 2) Providing to the network microphone device audio content being played back in the surrounding environment by the playback device, the audio content provided to the voice input received by the network microphone device being the microphone device The method according to Feature 1, further comprising the step of applying according to

  (Feature 3) The method according to feature 1 or 2, wherein the identified network microphone device is at least one of coupled with the playback device and in the same zone as the playback device.

  (Feature 4) Any of the features 1 to 3, wherein the reproduction device transmitting the acoustic characteristic to the microphone device is a reproduction device closest to the microphone device among the plurality of reproduction devices of the media reproduction system. Or the method described in a paragraph

  (Feature 5) receiving a notification indicating the direction of the voice input from the network microphone device; directivity of audio content reproduced by the reproduction device based on the notification indicating the direction of the received voice input The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of adjusting.

  (Characteristic 6) The application of the acoustic characteristic to the voice input received by the network microphone device causes the reproduction device to apply a filter based on the acoustic characteristic applied to the received voice input. The method according to any one of the features 1 to 5, including.

  (Feature 7) The acoustic characteristic of the surrounding environment is that one or more of the reproduction devices output one or more tones, and the microphone of the network device outputs the tones output by the one or more reproduction devices. 6. A method according to any of the features 1 to 6, which has been obtained in a calibration step such as receiving and analyzing the received tones to determine the acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment.

  (Feature 8) The step of providing the acoustic characteristic to the microphone device includes transmitting the acoustic characteristic as a message to the microphone device, and providing the microphone device with access to the acoustic characteristic. The method according to any one of the features 1 to 7, comprising.

  (Feature 9) A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions for being executed by the processor, which, when executed, cause the processor to perform the method according to any one of the features 1 to 8.

  (Feature 10) A media playback system comprising at least one playback device and a network device comprising a microphone device, wherein the media playback system is configured to perform the method according to any one of the features 1 to 9, Media playback system.

  (Feature 11) A method for a computing device, comprising receiving a voice input comprising a command word, an instance of one or more media variables, and an instance of one or more zone variables, corresponding to the command word Determining media playback system commands to be performed, identifying media content corresponding to the one or more instances of the media variable, the media playback system based on the instance of the one or more zone variables, the media Performing the media playback system command on content.

  (Feature 12) determining that the voice input corresponds to music control, before determining that the media playback system command corresponds to the command word, the media corresponding to the command word A method according to Feature 11, further comprising: playback system commands are determined based on available commands corresponding to music control.

  (Feature 13) The feature 11 or 12, further comprising: determining one or more media items from the identified media content; and transmitting an identifier indicating a network storage location of the one or more media items. the method of.

  (Feature 14) identifying the command word in the speech input based on the command word being in a first position, based on the instance of the one or more media variables being in a second position Identifying an instance of the one or more media variables in the speech input, based on the instance of the one or more zone variables being in a third position, the one or more speech inputs in the speech input. A method according to any one of features 11 to 13, further comprising the step of identifying an instance of a zone variable.

  (Feature 15) The step of determining the media playback system command corresponding to the command word may include determining an intent corresponding to the command word, and determining the media playback system command corresponding to the intent. The method according to any one of the features 11 to 14, comprising.

  (Feature 16) The instance of one or more zone variables in the received voice input is one or more zones of a media playback system, the one or more zones comprising one or more playback devices The method according to any one of the features 11-15, wherein

  (Feature 17) The step of causing the media playback system to execute the media playback system command on the media content comprises: the media playback system command, and media content corresponding to an instance of the one or more media variables Sending from the computing device to the media playback system a message including command information identifying media information identifying the one or more zone identifiers corresponding to the one or more zone variables. The method according to any one of the features 11 to 16, including.

  (Feature 18) A tangible non-transitory, storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the method according to any one of the features 11 to 17. Temporary computer readable medium.

  (Feature 19) A computing device, which, when executed by one or more processors and the one or more processors, causes the computing device to execute the method according to any one of the features 11 to 17. And a memory storing instructions.

  (Feature 20) a step of receiving a voice command for a media playback system, a step of determining whether the voice command is received from a registered user of the media playback system, the voice when the voice command is received from a registered user Configuring an indication for the media playback system based on the content of the command and the information in the registered user's user profile.

  21. The method of feature 20, further comprising transmitting the indication to one or more playback devices of the media playback system.

  (Feature 23) The method according to feature 21 or 22, wherein the voice command is a command that instructs the media playback system to play media content.

  24. The method of feature 23, wherein the configured instruction instructs the media playback system to obtain the media content from a preferred media source of the registered user.

  25. The method of feature 23, wherein the configured instruction causes the media playing system to play the media content via one or more media playing devices of the media playing system.

  (Feature 26) The configured instruction configures the media playback system using one or more of the registered user's preferred playback settings, and via the media playback system, the registered user's preferred playback settings A method according to Feature 23, comprising instructions to cause the media playback system to play the media content using

  (Feature 27) The method according to feature 26, wherein the registered user preference playback settings include one or more of a preference playback volume and a preference audio equalization setting.

  (Feature 28) The voice command is a command for commanding the media playback system to change the playback setting, and according to the configured instruction, the media playback system plays back one or more media playback devices in the media playback system. A method according to feature 21 or 22, wherein the setting is changed.

  (Feature 29) determining whether or not the voice command is received from the guest user when the voice command is not received from the registered user; and when the voice command is received from the guest user, Assigning a restriction setting to the media playback system based on the content of the voice command and the restriction setting assigned to the guest user, configuring an instruction for the media reproduction system, transmitting the instruction to the media reproduction system The method of any one of features 20-28, further comprising the step of:

  (Feature 30) The method according to any one of the features 20 to 29, wherein the media playback system comprises a playback network and one or more playback devices.

  (Feature 31) The method according to any one of features 20 to 30, further comprising ignoring the voice command if the voice command is not received from a registered user.

  (Feature 32) A tangible non-transitory computer readable medium encoding instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the computing device to perform the method according to any one of features 20 to 31. .

  (Feature 33) A media playback system comprising one or more processors and a tangible non-transitory computer readable medium according to feature 32.

  (Feature 34) receiving a notification about content, identifying at least one content type based on the received notification, at least one music service supporting the at least one content type, a plurality of music Determining among services, causing audio content associated with the content type to be transmitted to the at least one music service based on the at least one music service supporting the at least one content type A method, including steps.

  (Feature 35) The method according to feature 34, wherein the notification regarding the content is received via a network microphone device.

  (Feature 36) In the feature 34 or 35, the step of determining the at least one music service includes determining a reliability metric corresponding to the at least one music service determined from among the plurality of music services. Method described.

  (Feature 37) The method according to feature 34 or 35, wherein the step of determining the at least one music service comprises determining whether a reliability level condition is met.

  (Feature 38) The method according to feature 37, wherein the reliability metric is based on access history to a music service among the plurality of music services.

  (Feature 39) The method according to feature 38, wherein the reliability metric is further based on a specific use place of the specific music service.

  (Feature 40) receiving a second notification about content, identifying at least one content type based on the received notification, any music service of the plurality of music services being the at least one content A method according to any of the features 34 to 39, further comprising: determining that the type is not supported; and causing an error condition to be triggered.

  (Feature 41) The method according to any one of features 34 to 40, wherein the content type is selected from the group consisting of artist, genre, song, album, and radio station.

  (Feature 42) Any one of the features 34 to 41, wherein the step of determining the at least one music service comprises accessing a look-up table including entries of content available for the plurality of streaming services. The method described in.

  (Feature 43) The method according to any one of features 34 to 42, further comprising querying only the music service registered by the user among the plurality of music services.

  (Feature 44) A step of asking the user one or more questions for further specifying the content type specified in the first notification about the content after identifying the content type, more specific content 34. Any of the features 34 to 43, further comprising the steps of: receiving further user input, such as indicating a type; determining one or more music services based on the more specific content type. the method of.

  (Feature 45) A network interface configured to communicate with a plurality of network devices via a network, and a processor, which, when executed, causes the method according to any one of features 34 to 44 to be said processor And a processor comprising instructions for execution.

  (Feature 46) A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions for being executed by the processor, which, when executed, cause the processor to perform the method according to any one of the features 34 to 44.

VI. Conclusion The present specification discloses various exemplary systems, methods, apparatuses, products and the like, which include, among other components, firmware and / or software executed on hardware. It is understood that such examples are merely illustrative and should not be considered limiting. For example, some or all of these firmware, hardware and / or software aspects or components may be exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or any of hardware, software and / or firmware It is intended that combinations can be implemented. Thus, those examples provided are not the only way to implement those systems, methods, devices, and / or products.

  The methods and other processes disclosed herein may include one or more operations, functions, or actions. Although the blocks are illustrated in sequence, the blocks may be performed simultaneously and / or in an order different from the order described herein. Also, the various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, the blocks may be divided into additional blocks, and / or they may be removed based on the desired implementation.

  Further, for the present method and other processes and methods disclosed herein, the flowchart shows the functions and operations in one implementation contemplated in this embodiment. In this regard, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of the program code that includes one or more instructions executable by the processor to perform particular logical functions or steps in the process. . The program code may be stored on any type of computer readable medium, such as, for example, a storage device including a disk or a hard drive. The computer readable media may include non-transitory computer readable media, such as computer readable media that store data for a short period of time, such as, for example, register memory, processor cache and random access memory (RAM). The computer readable medium also includes non-volatile or non-volatile long-term storage such as read only memory (ROM), optical or magnetic disks, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Temporary media may be included. Computer readable media may also be any other volatile or non-volatile storage system. Computer readable media may be considered, for example, computer readable storage media or tangible storage. Also, each block in the figure may represent a wired circuit to perform a specific logic function in the process.

  Further, "embodiments" as used herein indicate that certain features, structures or characteristics described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Although this phrase is used in various places throughout the specification, it is not all referring to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment excluding the other embodiments. Thus, it is understood that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments, by those skilled in the art, explicitly and implicitly.

  The specification broadly describes exemplary environments, systems, procedures, steps, logic blocks, processes, and other symbolic representations that operate directly or indirectly on data processing devices connected to a network. It is similar to These process descriptions and representations are commonly used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Many specific details are provided to understand the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that certain embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than the embodiments described above.

  When any of the appended claims simply reads to cover an implementation in software and / or firmware, one or more of the elements in at least one example may, herein, be software and / or firmware. It is clearly defined that it includes tangible, non-transitory storage media storing such as, for example, memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray (registered trademark) and the like.

Claims (33)

A method for computing devices,
Receiving voice input,
Here, the voice input is
Command word,
An instance of one or more media variables, and an instance of one or more zone variables,
Equipped with
Determining that the voice input corresponds to music control;
Determining a media playback system command corresponding to the command word;
Here, the media playback system command corresponding to the command word is determined based on an available command corresponding to music control,
Identifying media content corresponding to an instance of the one or more media variables, and the media playback system commanding the media playback system command for the media content based on the instance of the one or more zone variables Step to execute
Method, including. further,
Determining one or more media items from the identified media content; and transmitting an identifier indicative of a network storage location of the one or more media items.
Comprising The method of claim 1. further,
Identifying the command word at the speech input based on the command word being in a first position;
Identifying an instance of the one or more media variables in the speech input based on the instance of the one or more media variables being at a second position; and an instance of the one or more zone variables Identifying an instance of the one or more zone variables in the speech input based on being in a third position;
The method according to claim 1 or claim 2 , comprising Determining the media playback system command corresponding to the command word:
Determining an intent corresponding to the command word; and determining the media playback system command corresponding to the intent.
The provided method according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An instance of one or more zone variables in the received audio input indicates one or more zones of a media playback system, the one or more zones comprising one or more playback devices.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . Causing the media playback system to execute the media playback system command on the media content comprises transmitting a message including command information from the computing device to the media playback system.
Here, the command information is
The media playback system command,
Media information identifying media content corresponding to an instance of the one or more media variables, and one or more zone identifiers corresponding to an instance of the one or more zone variables,
To identify
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The received instance of one or more media variables comprises a notification regarding media content,
further,
Identifying at least one content type based on the received notification;
Determining at least one music service supporting the at least one content type from among a plurality of music services;
Sending audio content associated with the content type to the at least one music service based on the at least one music service supporting the at least one content type;
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , comprising The notification about content is received via a network microphone device
The method of claim 7 . The step of determining the at least one music service comprises:
Determining a reliability metric corresponding to the at least one music service of the plurality of music services and determining whether the at least one music service satisfies a reliability level condition Including determining,
The method according to claim 7 or 8 , comprising at least one of: The reliability metric is
An access history to a music service among the plurality of music services, and a specific use place of the specific music service,
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the method is based on at least one of: further,
Receiving a second notification about the content;
Identifying at least one content type based on the received notification; and an error condition if it is determined that none of the music services of the plurality of music services support the at least one content type Allowing to be triggered,
The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10 , comprising The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein the content type is selected from the group consisting of artist, genre, song, album, and radio station. The step of determining the at least one music service comprises accessing a lookup table including entries of content available for the plurality of streaming services.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12. further,
Querying only the music service registered by the user among the plurality of music services;
Comprising A method according to any one of claims 13 claim 1. Furthermore, after identifying the content type:
Asking the user one or more questions to further identify the content type specified in an initial notification about the content;
Receiving yet another user input, such as indicating a more specific content type, and determining the one or more music services based on the more specific content type,
Including method according to any one of claims 14 to claim 1. further,
Determining whether the voice input has been received from a registered user of the media playback system; and if it is determined that the voice command has been received from a registered user, further based on information in the user profile of the registered user. Determining the media playback system command,
Including method according to any one of claims 1 to 15. The media playback system command instructs the media playback system to obtain the media content from a preferred media source of the registered user.
The method of claim 16 . The media playback system command is
Configuring the media playback system with one or more of the registered user's preferred playback settings, and via the media playback system using the registered user's preferred playback settings to the media playback system The method according to claim 16 or claim 17 including an instruction to play back the content. The registered user's favorite playback settings are
Include one or more of your preferred playback volume and your preferred audio equalization settings,
The method according to claim 18 . further,
Receiving a second audio input instructing the media playback system to change playback settings; and the media playback system to change the playback settings of one or more media playback devices in the media playback system. Determining a media playback system command to direct to
Comprising A method according to any one of claims 19 claim 16. further,
Determining whether the voice command has been received from a guest user when the voice command has not been received from a registered user;
If the voice command is received from a guest user,
Assigning restriction settings to the guest user;
Configuring an instruction for the media playback system based on the content of the voice command and the restriction setting assigned to the guest user; and transmitting the instruction to the media playback system.
21. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 20 , comprising further,
Sending the media playback system command to one or more playback devices of the media playback system,
The media playback system command causes the media playback system to play the media content via one or more media playback devices of the media playback system.
22. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 21 . further,
Acquiring acoustic characteristics of the surrounding environment in which the reproduction device is installed;
Identifying a network microphone device within the environment surrounding the playback device;
Providing the acoustic characteristic to the network microphone device; and applying the acoustic characteristic by the network microphone device to an audio input received by the network microphone device.
Including method according to any one of claims 22 claim 1. The acoustic properties of the surrounding environment are obtained in a calibration stage,
In the calibration step,
One or more of the playback devices output one or more tones,
The microphone of the network device receives the tone output by the one or more playback devices, and analyzes the received tone to determine an acoustic characteristic of the surrounding environment.
24. The method of claim 23 . further,
Providing audio content being played back in the environment by the playback device to the network microphone device;
Applying the provided audio content by the microphone device to the audio input received by the network microphone device;
25. A method according to claim 23 or claim 24 , comprising The identified network microphone device is
Coupled to the playback device, and in the same zone as the playback device,
It is at least one of a method according to any one of claims 25 to claim 23. The playback device that transmits the acoustic characteristic to the microphone device is a playback device that is closest to the microphone device among the plurality of playback devices of the media playback system.
27. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 26 . further,
Adjusting the directivity of audio content to be reproduced by the reproduction device based on the notification indicating the direction of the voice input from the network microphone device and the notification indicating the direction of the received voice input Step,
28. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 27 , comprising. The step of causing the network microphone device to apply the acoustic characteristic to the audio input received by the network microphone device comprises applying a filter to the reproduction device based on the acoustic characteristic applied to the received audio input ,
A method according to any one of claims 23 to 28 . Providing the acoustic characteristic to the microphone device comprises
Transmitting the acoustical properties to the microphone device as a message, and providing the microphone device with access to the acoustical properties;
30. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 29 , comprising one of: 31. A non-transitory tangible non-transitory storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 30. Computer readable medium. A computing device,
One or more processors, and when executed by the one or more processors, a memory for storing instructions for executing the method according to the computing device of claims 1 to claims 30,
A computing device. 31. A computer program for causing a processor to execute the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

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